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Period: 1200 to
American Constitution
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1215
The Magna Carta
The magna carta was a document that gave certain rights to the English people. The king must follow the law. First documents to state that citizens had such rights. The Magna Carta reflects most clearly in the Bill of Rights mostly to amendments five through seven Referring to rules for a speedy and fair jury trial. -
The Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut stated the powers and limits of government. The preamble of the Fundamental Orders formed a confederation under the guidance of God. This is much different then today’s ideas of the separation of church and state. This was the first constitutions in the American colonies. The twenty second amendment limits the amount of times a person can be elected and this relates to the fundamental order of Connecticut because they had term limits. -
The Albany Plan
The Albany Plan of the Union was a plan that was to place British colonies under a more centralized government, taxes would have been levied. It never went through it was an important proposal to attempt the colonies to become a whole united under one government. The Albany plan would have allowed the legislature to tax, the president general was to make treaties. The president is also to do so under the constitution in Article II, Section 2. -
The acts
The acts were a revenue act of 1767 that placed a tax on British goods imported into the colonies such as glass, tea, lead, the commissioners of customs act. Also, the Boston port act closed Boston harbor until the damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid for. The Quarting act required colonists to house British soldiers in their homes if need be. -
The Declaration of Independence
The declaration is a formal statement showing the right of the people to decide on their government the freedom of choice. The declaration of Independence brought forth the principles behind a fair and just government. The fifth amendment states that the governments cant deny any person of life liberty or property. -
Shays Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion was yearlong uprising in Massachusetts in 1786. Made mainly by the poorer members of society who didn’t agree with the terms imposed by them from the state’s government. The people were anti high tax, the rebellion caused the courts to close. It also caused the legislature to ease economic restrictions. Shay’s rebellion led to the calling of a constitutional convention the following year in Philadelphia. -
The New Jersey Plan
The new jersey plan was proposal for the structure of the U.S in June of 1787. It was a plan for each state to have one vote in congress instead of having the number of votes being based on the population. Article 1, Section 3 of the constitution states that the senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state. -
Three Fifths Compromise
The Three fifths compromise was an agreement between delegates from the north and south states at the constitutional convention. The compromise states that three fifths of the slave population would count for determining taxation and representation in the house of representatives. Article one, section two of the constitution of the United States declared that any person who was not free would be counted as 3/5 of a free individual for the purposes of determining congressional representation.
