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Feb 13, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the first document that limited the King' s powers and gave more rights to the citizens of Great Britain. This greatly influenced many of the amendments and the government protection. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact helped to develop the first democratic government in the colonies. The colonists were all agreeable to this document. This helped influence "just and equal Laws" for the citizens. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The FOC was an early version of the constitution for the colonists that established laws that helped to govern the towns of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights helped declare the rights and liberties of the people. This helped to limit the King's powers and give more rights to the people. This helped influence the rights and civil liberties in the colonies. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war between Great Britain and France was primarily for much control over North America. This war helped the US to start to breakaway from Great Britain and gain its own independence. The end also created numerous taxes for the US as they refused to help pay the war debt. -
Albany Plan of the Union
This helped to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. This helped to keep the states together until the Constitution was written. -
First Continental Congress
This meeting resulted in an agreement between the colonies to boycott Great Britain in response to the Intolerable Acts. -
Declaration of Independence
This helped the United States declare independence from Great Britain. This is one of the most prominent documents in US, alongside the Constitution. They did not have any direct relationship, but the Declaration opened the doors for our freedoms, which is where the Constitution comes into play. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first Constitution of the US, except not all 13 states ratified the document until 1781. This was in effect until the actual Constitution was ratified. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion, which was a rise of farmers against the Massachusetts Government, happened because of the incredibly high taxes that were going to be increased. This rebellion ended successfully, and helped to pave the way for American Rights through protest. It allowed for the people to feel more empowered, because they were able to "fight back" against the Government. -
New Jersey Plan
The Virginia Plan was more beneficial to large states, whereas the New Jersey Plan had more influence for the smaller states. This allowed for each state to have one vote in Congress instead of by population. This also allowed for more separation of powers. -
Three-fifths Compromise
This part of the US Constitution allowed for the population of slaves to be accounted for as 3/5 of a person when apportioning Representatives and taxes and whatnot. -
Virginia Plan
This document was a proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch, and being the first document to create separation of powers in the US. This was very important to the Constitution because it created the House of Representatives and allowed for Checks and Balances -
Second Continental Congress
The 13 colonies formed to adopt the US Declaration of Independence, and manage the colonial war effort.
