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Period: Jan 1, 1189 to
England's Common Law
Common Law is an invention of the English courts. Common Law was designed to keep every law the same (or common) across the land. Most of America's laws are based upon Common Law. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was created to protect the rights and powers of the nobles. It also gave certain rights to landholders. The Magna Carta shaped American Law by being the first document to limit a government's power. -
Period: Jun 15, 1215 to
English Parliament
The English Parliament was created by the Magna Carta when it was ratified in 1215. The Parliament was ment to hold most of the power in England and to regulate what the king/queen did. Parliament was the first time in history that a monarch was not in control and a legislature had the power. -
The Virginia House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first represenative assembly in the English colonies. It allowed the colonists to make decisions for themselves. The House of Burgesses was the beginning of self-government in the colonies. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was created when the Pilgrams realized that they would need rules to govern themselves. The Mayflower Compact set up a rough form of democracy and set rules which were to be followed. It then went on to heavily influence the Consittution. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were orders adopted by the Connecticut Colony council that described the government set up by several towns in Connecticut. The Orders established the first Constition in the West. Later on the Orders influenced the founding of the U.S Government -
Period: to
Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an age in which cultural forces in Western Europe emphasized reason and other ideas that went against traditional ideas. The Enlightenment thinkers empasized republicanism and influenced the Founding Fathers. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorius Revolution was the overthrow of King James the second caused by opposition of some of his policies. Its purpose was to get rid of King James and his policies and to put a monarch that they approved of in his place. This revolution set the stage for The Bill of Rights of 1689 which limited a monarch's power. -
English Bill of Rights ( Bill of Rights of 1689)
The Bill of Rights of 1689 was created to limit a monarch's power in England. This document limited the power of a monarch and gave more rights to Parliament, including the right of free speech. It is still in effect to this day.
