-
1500 BCE
Moses
Moses calls for the law to apply equally to all people. (The 10 Commandments) -
600 BCE
Old Testament
It is a special agreement between the people and God. This set up the bases for the Constitution and colonial governments. -
100
New Testament
This gave the people a biblical idea of covenant. -
1215
Magna Carta
This granted the citizens protection from unfair taxation and cruel treatment from the King. -
The Thirteen Colonies
Each state had its own government consisting of a governor, a legislative body and a court system. -
The Mayflower Compact
After getting away from the king, the Pilgrams governed themselves by making a contract. -
The Constitution of Connecticut
Connecticut was the first to have a viable constitution. -
House of Lords
This is the lower chamber, often for the younger sons. -
House of Commons
This is for members of the upper chamber/ sons of noble families. (Later family members inherit their positions) -
English Bill of Rights
This removed King James the Second and first to put clear limits on democracy. -
Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century. -
The French and Indian War
This war put the British in a lot of debt. The British believed the colonist had an obligation to pay the war debt so they started taxing the colonist. -
The Stamp Act
The king levied taxes on tea, sugar, glass, paper and other products. This caused the colonist to boycott British goods. -
English Common Law
This was based on custom, usages and general principles. -
The Boston Tea Party
Some colonist dressed up Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of British tea in the harbor. This led to the king passing the Intolerable Acts. -
The First Continental Congress
During this, the colonists decided what to do about their relationship with Great Britain and imposed embargoes and boycotted British goods. -
The Second Continental Congress
They:
-organized an army
-organized a navy &
-made plans to issue money -
Declaration of Independence
This was the first government founded on the principle of human liberty and consent of the governed. -
Articles of Confederation
All 13 states ratified in March of 1781.
It had no national court system, no presidents or king, and an unicameral chamber legislature.
