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Jan 1, 1066
England's Common Law
English Common Law is the legal system of England and Wales. American Law was actually aprehended from the English common law when the legislation endorsed the descions of the English courts. The U.S. Constitution uses many of the same ideas as the English common law, such as the national assembly and the separation of powers within 3 branches of government, which are excutive, legislatitve, and judical. -
Jan 1, 1215
The English Parliament
The tenants-in-chief protected the Magna Carta, which stated that King John could not tarrif or consume taxes in 1215. Over time, they contributed to resricting the power of monarchies. -
Jul 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document that protected the freedom of the higher classes and due process along with marking the end of absolute monarchies. It required that even the English sovereigns had to abide by the the law. It was a pathway to the common law we use today. Used the concept of a "higher law", in which the executive nor legislative branch, could act upon.This concept is stated in the supremacy clause invoked by the supreme court. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The Virginia General Assembly held it's first meeting in Jamestown on July 30, 1619. The House of Burgesses is indicated as the first democratic, legislative body, elected in the British American colonies. Any of the burgesses could create laws, which of corse could be dismissed by the governor. There are many burgesses that we recognize today, such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry. Patrick brought fourth seven solutions to the Stamp Act in 1765. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact is one of the most important documents involving the United States. It was a written document that promised that new settlers would get thier land. It also established what is known as the "New Unites States". It was signed by 41 English colonists that were anchored on the Mayflower in Provincetown Harbor Cape Cod, Massachusetts. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was written by Thomas Hooker, who was a minister and was also known as "Father of Democracy", wrote The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. This document marked the first constitution. It stretched the constitutional and representative government, along with concepts of deomocracy. It also recognized the power of the general courts. -
Enlightenment
The Enlightenment is noted to have lasted from 1685 to 1815. It is know as the "Age of Reason". Europe was largely effected during this time. Their communications, sciences, politics, and philosophies, were motified. Scholars from Europe, France, and Britain pondered about the historic sovereignty and humanity. The Enlightenment brought fourth new books, inventions, discoveries, laws, wars, and revolutions. It also led to Romanticism in the 19 century. -
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John Locke
John Locke belived in a blank state and natural rights, which are the rights that people are supposed to have under law, The Declaration of Independence took these rights and clarrified them as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
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Francios-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
This Englightenment thinker believed in the freedom of speech, which is the right to express any opinions without limitations. -
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Thomas Hobbes
Thomas believed that people needed a sytem of government because they were all selfish and bad. -
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Baron de Montesquieu
Montesquieu believed in checks and balances, which is the spearation of powers among the three government branches: exceutive, legislative, and judicial. This was created to balance out the power of each branch. Example being the Executive Branch can veto bills from the Legislative Branch, but the Legislative Branch can override the veto. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution started in 1688 and ended in 1689. It was the stealing of James II's throne, done by William of Orange. This brought fourth success for the Whigs. If no Roman Catholic could be king, then no kingship could be unconditional. This idea supported John Locke’s proposal that government was in the nature of a social contract between the king and his people in the parliament. This revolution established that the Parliament was the permament power of England. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights is a doument, established by the Parliament, that fabricated the seperation of powers. The seperation of powers was introduced by Baron de Montesquieu, which established diversity and equal amounts of power between the three branches of government. It also fortified freedom of speech.
