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Jun 1, 1215
MAGNA CARTA
King John was pressured into signing the document, which established limited government / rule of law, ultimately limiting John's power over the people. The Magna Carta laid a foundation for several ideas listed in the BIll of Rights included in the Constitution, such as the right to a trial by jury. -
HOUSE OF BURGESSES
Created an elected legislature and influenced the idea of self-government, which is an important aspect of the Constitution's preamble, which begins with "we the people" because the people collectively agreed on forming this government and electing their representatives, while still being able to speak out and have their personal freedoms. Some members of the house included William Byrd, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Pendleton, and Patrick Henry. -
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
Written agreement between the settlers of New Plymouth to form a government for the New World that provided the colonists with sovereignty. This idea continued on in the Constitution, which includes several amendments to protect the rights of citizens. -
THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Many ideas from the enlightenment made their way into the Constitution, such as sovereignty, separation of powers (checks and balances), etc. Some famous Enlightenment philosophers include John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. -
ALBANY PLAN
This plan, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, was created to place the colonies under a more centralized government, and was the first plan to suggest that the colonies could be governed as a whole by one united government. -
STAMP ACT
"Taxation without representation" led to many angered colonists who went as far as becoming violent toward the cause. The remembrance of the country's violence influenced the writers of the Constitution to include an amendment that addressed petitions against the government. -
FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
The Continental Congress served as the government to the 13 colonies, which was an important step in declaring America's independence and influencing the idea of sovereignty in the Constitution. The congress included George Washington, John Jay, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, etc. -
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Before the war, each state had its own constitution, and after the war ended, the states joined together to set up a federal gov. under the AOC. The revolution was a fight between America and Britain, was fought for liberty and justice, ideal aspects of the Constitution. -
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
Created the very first U.S. Constitution, the AOC, which ultimately led to the creation of the Constitution because the government was not strong enough under the AOC. Had new members, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. -
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Set America’s independence from Britain in stone, and introduced the idea of a fair government. The Constitution was written to establish how that government would work. Written by Thomas Jefferson, edited by Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and signed by many more. -
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Established the functions of the national government of the United States after it first declared independence from Great Britain. -
SHAY'S REBELLION
Farmers from Massachusetts who lost land due to debt began breaking out into armed mobs, with veteran Daniel Shays as a leader. These riots showed everyone that the government was too weak and needed some reformation. -
ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION
The state of Virginia called a meeting in order to discuss the nation's problems and form a more effective government. However, not every colony decided to participate (only New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia attended), meaning that the power of the convention was limited, ultimately causing the delegates to plan a larger convention (which makes this a step toward the Constitutional Convention and eventually the Constitution). -
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
The convention addressed the need for a stronger government than the gov. that existed under the AOC, which led to the draft of the Constitution, setting the boundaries for a stronger government with more rights to the people.Some of the delegates that attended the convention were George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, etc. -
FEDERALIST PAPERS
Essays that promoted the ratification of the U.S Constitution. They were anonymously written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay and published for public viewing. -
RATIFICATION OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. CREATED on September 17th, 1787, RATIFIED on June 21, 1788.