Constitutional Influences Timeline

Constitutional Influences

Period: Jan 1, 1200 to Dec 31, 1800

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

Nobles forced King John to sign an agreement (magna carta). Protected the nobles' privileges & athority/control. Included equal treatment under the law & trial by one's peers. Limited the power of the monarch by guaranteeing that no one would be above the law, not even the king or queen.

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

Pilgrims arrived in America, built a settlement called Plymouth hundreds of miles north of Virginia. Before their ship the Mayflower, they realized that they needed rules to govern themselves. Wrote a plan (mayflower compact), 41 men aboard signed the Mayflower Compact.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Jan 14, 1639

A # of Pilgrims were being persecuted for their religious beliefs, they left Massachussetts & colonized the area that is now Connecticut. Developed America's 1st written constitution- Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. It called for an assembly of elected representatives from each town to make laws.

Glorious Revolution

Jun 10, 1688

Parliament removed King James II from the throne & invited his daughter Mary & her husband William to rule instead. This peaceful tranfer of power is known as Glorious Revolution, this means that no one would have more power than Parliament.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

Further restricted the monarch's power, guaranteed free elections to Parliament, the right to a fair trial, and the elimination of cruel & unusual punishments.

John Locke

Nov 24, 1690

Argued that people were born free, equal, & independent. Possessed rights (natural rights),to life, liberty, & property. Wrote "The Second Treatise of Government."

Baron de Montesquieu

Oct 17, 1748

French writer, wrote separation of powers- dividing the branches of government into different parts to balance each other so no one part can become too strong or threaten individual rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Sep 20, 1762

French philosopher, wrote in "The Social Contract" that "man is born free, yet everywhere he is found in chains" Referring to the large # of people in Europe living under oppressive governments.