-
Period: Jan 1, 1200 to
Constitutionl Influences Timeline
-
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
This document protected the noble's priviledges and authority, or control. The document limited the power of the monarch by guaranteeing that no one would be above the laws, not even king or queen. -
Mayflower Compact
Established a tradition of direct democracy. Citizens held town meetings to addess local problems and issues. -
Fundamental Orders Of Conneticut
America's first written constitution. Pilgrims were being persectued for religious beliefs. They left Massachussets and went to what we now call Conneticut. This document called for an assembly of elected representaives from each town to make laws. It also called for the popular election of govenor and judges. -
Glorious Revolution
Parliament removed the king and brought in his daughter and her husband. It was a peaceful transfer of power. No ruler would hove more power than parliament. -
English Bill of Rights
This document further restricted the monarch's power. It also guaranteed free elections to Parliament, the right to a fair trail and the elimination of cruel and unusual punishments. -
John Locke
An english writer who supported the Glorious Revolution. Locke argued that people were born free, equal and independent. They all possessed rights called equal natural rights, to life, liberty, and property that no government could take away. -
Baron de Montesquieu
A french writer developed the idea about dividing the branches of government into parts to balance each other so that no one part can become too strong ot threaten individual rights. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
French philospher wrote in the Social Contravt (published in 1762) "man is born free, yet everywhere he is found in chains." He argued that people alone deteremined how thet shall be governed.
