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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Created in 1215, it established that no man, king or law maker, is above the law and all are subjected to fair judgment. It also recognized the individual rights of men, noble or commoner, that all should be entitled to. -
Thomas Hobbes
Born April 5, 1588 and died December 4, 1679. Thomas Hobbes was an English Philosopher whose ideals helped influence the U.S. Constitution alongside the ideals of other philosophers and preceding documents. Hobbes' ideal of Social Compact stated that it was the government´s job to ensure the safety of the citizens. Hobbes also stated the ideals of Inalienable Rights, Equality of All Men, and the liberty to pursue happiness in life. -
Mayflower Compact
Established November 11, 1620 on the Mayflower anchored off Cape Cod. It was the first written constitution of British colonies in America, it set the precedent of government by consent with pilgrims willingly placing themselves under the power of the British king -
Petition of Rights
Created in 1628, it was created with the purpose of opposing a tax by the king of Britain. It challenged the tax without consent and had various ideals within the document that would help to influence the U.S. Constitution. -
John Locke
Born August 19, 1632 - Died October 28, 1704. John Locke was an English Philosopher that believed that all men had unalienable rights, the government was responsible for protecting and preserving these rights, and a social contract between the govern and governed which required the governed´s consent. -
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The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a time period that gave rise to many influential writers, philosophers, and ideals. From the Enlightenment it influenced the ideas of natural rights, social contract, revolution, and ideals supported more by reason. It was a time period the bore great influence on the creation of the U.S. Constitution. -
Montesquieu
Charles Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu
Born January 18, 1689 - Died February 10, 1755 Montesquieu was a french philosopher during the enlightenment whose ideals of Separation of Powers and the Ability of each branch to keep each other in check and balance the powers. -
English Bill of Rights
Passed in 1689 by the British Parliament, It reduced the powers of the the king and queen while strengthening freedom of speech. It also stated that the subjects of the crown were free citizens and entitled to inalienable rights. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Born June 28, 1712 - Died July 3, 1778
Rousseau was an influential thinker during the Enlightenment. Rousseau's ideal of "The Social Contract" was one of the many influential ideas that helped to create the U.S. Constitution. This ideal spoke of the government as "a moral and collective body" that was made up of its society's members and everyone had an obligation to the government while at the same time the government was the "will of the people". -
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The Great Awakening
It was a time period of religious revival that swept through the British colonies. It helped to influence the U.S. constitution because not only did it bring about its religious revival but it also helped to bring about a greater religious toleration and advocate religious freedom. -
First Continental Congress
In September of 1774, the first continental congress was convened to discuss the "Intolerable" Acts passed by Britain on to the colonies. This would mark the first time America came together to politically on a national level and "sowed the seeds of participatory democracy." -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 and was in respect a continuation of the First Continental Congress with the addition of some new participants. It was during this that they conceived the Declaration of Independence to formally separate from England. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Established on June 11, 1776, its established that all individuals were entitled rights and these were the basis of government. -
Articles of Confederation of 1781
Adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. Ratified by all thirteen states March 1, 1781. It formed a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government and mainly restricted the individual states from conducting their own foreign diplomacy. It set the foundation for a national government and create closer ties between the states. -
Shay's Rebellion
Lasted 1786 to 1787.
Shay's Rebellion revealed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and led to further call for a stronger national government while it also sped up the debate inf Philadelphia which led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in the summer of 1787.
