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Period: 501 BCE to
Inspiration and Development
During this time period many individuals, civilizations, and documents created inspiration for the US Constitution. Many of the key principles and values present in the Constitution are based on a previous idea. -
500 BCE
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is the first known civilization to begin incorporating democracy into their government. All men were given the freedom of speech and the ability to partake in the political system. This system was known as the ¨rule by people¨. -
150 BCE
Roman Law
Roman Law was unlike anything seen before this time. It included many principles that are also in the US Constitution such as trials by jury, civil rights, and personal property. This is the first time in history humans were seen as individuals with their own rights and possessions separate from others. -
1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a large turning point in British history as it challenged autocratic rule. The document established that everyone including the king had to obey the laws. This principle is later referred to as the ¨rule of law¨. The Magna carta also established that no man could be imprisoned without lawful judgement. -
1400
House of Commons Introduced
In the 14th century the House of Commons became part of the British Parliament. This is significant because it allowed people that were not nobility or of the high clergy to be involved in the government. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document to reach America. The main agreement on this document was that the people would obey the laws in exchange for protection or in other words social contract. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was a document sent from the English Parliament to King Charles the 1st. The petition addressed issues including no taxation without consent and no imprisonment without cause. These are both issues also addressed by the Colonists during the American Revolution. -
French Enlightenment
The French Enlightenment is marked by Voltaire and Baron de Montesquieu. Voltaire introduced the idea that the Church should not hold power in the government. Montesquieu introduced the idea of having a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. -
British Enlightenment
The British Enlightenment is marked by John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes advocated for the principle of social contract which is the idea that the people of a place agree to be governed by the leader(s). John Locke introduced the idea that everyone is born with natural rights. These rights are life, liberty, and property. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first official governing document of the United States of America. There were many flaws in the Articles of confederation which prevented them from lasting a long time. Some flaws present were a lack of central leadership, no power to tax, and no power to enforce laws. -
Period: to
Evolving the US Constitution and Government
The US Government and Constitution are always changing to better serve today's society. -
US Constitution ratified
The US Constitution was first ratified in 1787. This was the original version so there were no Amendments, other than the Bill of Rights. In order for the Constitution to be ratified, representatives from each state had to sign off which is why it took so long to publish. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolished slavery. The Amendment states that all slavery and servitude is illegal unless it is used as punishment. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment granted African- American men the right to vote. Due to the larger population of African Americans in the south, many southern states tried to prevent these men from registering to vote. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment established that no one can be denied the right to vote based on their gender. This granted all women the right to vote. -
22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment prevented presidents from serving more than 2 terms or 8 years. This Amendment was made after President Franklin Roosevelt served 3 terms and Congress realized they needed to put a term limit in place. -
27th Amendment
The 27th Amendment is the most recent Amendment to the Constitution. It prevents Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session.