preconstitutional documents

Charters of the Virginia Company of London

Jan 1, 1606

Document
Guaranteed English rights to the colonists
Written by King James I

Virginia Declaration of Rights

Jun 12, 1776

Document
Served as a model for the Bill of Rights
Written by George Mason

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

document The Declaration of Independence stated greivances against the king of Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. It declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain. It affirmed certain "unalienable rights."

The VA statute for religious freedom

Jun 12, 1779

document
seperated church and state
written by Thomas Jefferson
allowed americans to worship freely

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

document The Articles of Confederation established the first form of national government for the independent states. It was very weak.It was written by the second continental congress. Some of its weakness were: it couldn't collect taxes, couldn't enforce law, all the states had different currency, and many others.