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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta can also be called "The Great Charter." It is an important document which established the idea that everyone is subject to law. Whether you are a king, a common citizen, or the president you must be subject to law. The Magna Carta also guarantees the rights to individuals.
This relates to the constitution as it exercised a strong influence on the United States constitution and other constitutions of different states.
1st Amendment -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact set rules for self-governance. The English settlers traveled on the Mayflower to the new world. This compact is very short as it made the signers into a Civil Body Politic. This agreement was written in 1620 and was a legal document that tied the Pilgrims together. This relates to the United States Constitution as it laid it's foundation. 14th Amendment -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Conneticut Colony adopted the Fundamental orders in 1639. These orders described the governments set up to the river, towns, and setting structure. The colony wanted the government to be able to access the ocean for open trading. This influenced the constitution.
9th Amendment -
English Bill of Rights
In 1689 the English Bill of Rights was signed by William III and Mary II. The signers became the co-rulers in England when King James the second was thrown out. This bill outlined specific constitutional rights along with civil rights. It gave Parliament power of the monarchy.
Relates to the constitution because it outlined the constitutional and civil rights.
Article I -
Albany Plan of Union
A plan that placed the British North American colonies for a more centralized government. The plan was adopted during a big meeting that was called the Albany Congress. Under the Constitution the Albany plan granted the legislature the power to tax. On July 10,1752 representatives from seven of the British North American colonies adopted this plan.
Article 4, Section 3, Part 1 -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war began in 1754. The Treaty of Paris ended this war in 1763. The war gave Great Britain a huge amount of territory in North America. This lead to the American Revolution as they had to pay the wars expenses. The British won and this had a huge impact of the British Empire. It expanded the British territorial claims in the New world but put Britain in a lot of debt.
Article 1, Section 8, Part II -
The Acts
The Sugar Act of 1764 was a revenue raising act that was passed in 1764 by the Parliament of Great Britian. This is closely related to the Molasses act . The sugar act was not a good or a bad thing, ad some of the colonies began to boycott by not purchasing British goods. 18th Amendment -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 13 colonies held a the First Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. At this, they organized colonial resistance to Parliament's Coercive Acts. This was important as they began to call for the boycott of British goods, voted to form a militia and they wanted the colonies to be ready to fight. This influenced the constitution by giving it points to be changed and ratified.
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 15 -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met on May 10,1775. This meeting was held at the State House in Philadelphia following the Revolutionary War. At this meeting they appointed ambassadors, issued paper currency and raised the Continental army by appointing generals. By doing this it also help develop the Articles of Confederation which later was included in the Constitution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress. The Declaration summarized the colonists ideas and motivation for independence. It included 3 main ideas: 1. People have certain Inalienable rights (Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness." All men are created equal, and individuals have a civic duty to defend the rights for their selves and others. This Declaration was included in the Constitution.
2 Amendment -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was written in 1777. It was the first ever written constitution of the United States. It was a document that established the functions of the national government and declared independence from Great Britain. It included the idea the congress could not regulate trade. The first article gave the name United States of America. It gave all the states sovereignty, freedom, and independence.
Article VII -
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan was also called the Randolph Plan. It was created on May 29, 1787. James Madison was the author. It was written at the National Archives. It was written to propose a structure of government. It was introduced to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 as it outlined a strong national government with three branches of government.
article 1 section the house. -
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan was also known as the Small State Plan. It was a proposal for the structure of the United States Government. William Paterson presented this plan at the Constitutional Convention. On June 15, 1787 it was proposed. It was a response to the Virginia Plan, which was believed by Patterson, that it would put too much power in the big states and be a disadvantage to the littler states.
Article 1 Section 3 the Senate -
Three-fifths compromise
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement between delegates from the North and South states. This was at the United States Constitutional convention in 1787. Its idea was that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representatives by the House of Representatives. It is no longer in effect today because most people have the right to vote.
Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3 -
Shay’s Rebellion
Shay's rebillion occurred as there was an uprising in Western Massachusetts because of a debt crisis. It started on August 29, 1786 and ended in June of 1787. The goals of this were to reform of state government, later its overthrow. It showed the weaknesses of the Article of Confederation. The government had given most power to the states and the central government consisted only of a legislature.
