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1500 BCE
Moses
After receiving the Ten Commandments, he called for the laws to apply to every single being, and set rules for a fair trial. -
600 BCE
Old Testament
The ideas of a covenant, paved the way for future formations of colonial governments and constitutional structures. -
100
New Testament
The New Testament is like the old one, but changes some things. -
1215
The Magna Carta
After King John's oppressive policies of, unfair taxes and cruel treatment of prisoners. English nobles forced him to sign "The Magna Carts", which recognized their rights. -
The Mayflower Compact
While on the Mayflower, the pilgrims governed themselves with a written contract. This compact made a huge impact on our government and constitution -
The Constitution of Connecticut
This constitutions replaced the earlier constitution of 1818. It influenced the Founder of America. -
The Enlightenment
A group of philosophers including John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Voltaire, sought to apply the rights of scientific inquiry. They developed laws to describe social behavior. -
The English Bill of Rights
In 1688, the English Parliament removed King James ll from the throne. Later Parliament passed The English Bill of Rights that put limits on monarchy's. -
The House of Lords
The members of the upper chamber were the first sons of noble families and later members who inherited their positions. This influenced the US, to create the Senate. -
The House of Commons
The members of the lower chamber were elected and were often the younger sons of noble families or wealthy commoners. This influenced the US to create the House of Representatives. -
The French and Indian War
Great Britain won the war in 1763, but it was a very costly war, and Britain was left in great debt. They told the colonist has an obligation to pay since they defended them against the French. -
The Stamp Act
So to pay for the war, King George lll made the Stamp Act, which imposed the first tax on the colonist. They were required to pay a tax of legal documents, pamphlets, and playing cards. -
The English Common Law
There is no comprehensive compilation of legal rules and statutes. -
The Boston Tea Party
A group of colonist dressed as Indians, dumped 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. In retaliation, the Boston Parliament passed the Coercive Acts or Intolerable Acts and closed Boston Harbor. -
The First Continental Congress
On September 5, 1774, delegates from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia for the Congress. They imposed an embargo to prohibit trade with England and started a boycott on their goods. -
The Second Continental Congress
Within three weeks, delegates from all thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress in May 1775. They chose John Hancock as president. They organized an army, navy and issued money. -
The Thirteen English Colonies
These colonial institutions exercised some local authority, but the British believed that all colonists owed allegiance to the monarch. -
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine advocated for independence and influenced many colonists with his pamphlet, “Common Sense”. He stated that the monarchy was corrupt and an enemy of liberty. On July 4, 1776 the Congress approved the final draft of the declaration. -
The Articles of Confederation
Didn’t go into ineffective immediately because it had to be approved by all thirteen states. By March 1781, all thirteen states had ratified, or approved the Articles. The plan for the central, national government was simple.No national court system.No president or king. -
The Constitution of the United States
In May 1787 the Constitution Convention. The state legislatures sent 55 delegates to Philadelphia. George Washington presided over the meetings.The delegates of the Philadelphia Convention felt that separating the powers of government, gave citizens protection from their abuse of power.
