Foundations of American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

Barons and King John involved in England
King John was forced to sign
Established due process of law, trial by jury and right to private property
Relevance to U.S.:In the United states today, we still utilize due process of law, and the concept that everyone has a right to trial byjury and rights to private property

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

Parliament and King Charles 1 in England involved
Limited the king's power
challenging divine righ
People were fed up with being taxed
Relevance to U.S.: We now elect officials into office. Noone is appointed into positions.

English bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

Parliament, King William, and Queen Mary involved in Elngland
A list of provisions that the king and queen had to agree to beforebecoming rulers
Parliament wanted to prevent future rulers from abusing power
Relevance to U.S.: Our leaders int the U.S. today have to agree to a set of terms before they enter office, and there are checks and balances to insure that no one abuses their power.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Delegates from all thirteen states met in Philidelphia
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
Managed Colonial War effort
Relevance to U.S.: This was the way that everything that needed to be got done. This was when they had basically a chore list that they had to complete, except it was a chore list of things that needed to be done for the success of the U.S.

Declaration of Independance

Jul 4, 1776

Document establishing the United States as a nation
Ordered and approved by the Continental Congress and Written by Thomas Jefferson
Break Up letter to England stating that They were now independant
Relevance to U.S.; Established U.S. as an independant Nation and ultimately got evrything regarding the government going

Articlas of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

First constitution of the United States
Signed by all thirteen states
created a loose confederation of states and a weak central government
Gave states most power to do what they wanted
Relevance to U.S.: this was the first constitution America knew, and there were many flaws in it. So, based off of this they drafted a new constitution fixing areas that they believed needed to be fixed. They reached the 3/5 comprimise, and the new constitution was born.

American Constitution

Sep 17, 1787

System of basic laws and principles that defines the rights of American citizens
Drafting began on May 25th, September 1787 at the Philidelphia State House
Revised version of the Articles of Confederation
Relevancy to U.S.: Basis of American government and defines and lists the rights of citizens

Federalist Papers

Jan 1, 1788

Articles, essays, etc drafted by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Promoted ratification of U.S. Constitution
Appeared Anonymously in New York newspappers in both 1787 and 1788