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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Magna Carta was important because it tried to reign in abuse power of the King, King John I. It had been the first attempt to take power away.
It relates to the constitution because it inspired the Founding Fathers. It was a potent symbol of liberty and the natural rights of man against an oppressive or unjust government. -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was important because it was the first document to establish self-government in the New World. It was established by English settlers who were doing to the New World on the Mayflower.
This relates to the Constitution because it inspired the Founding Fathers during the creation the Constitution that we use today. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are important because they established the powers and limits of the government. It stated that the government had to adopt and repeal laws, impose taxes, distribute land, apprehend and punish people for misdemeanors, and enact legislation to promote the general good.
This relates to the Constitution because it is considered as being the first form of the Constitution. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights is important because it expanded the rights of the Parliament and the people and limited the rights of the king.
It relates to the Constitution because it encouraged a form of government where the rights and liberties of individuals were protected. -
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French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was important because people wanted to break away from Great Britain. The French, who were fighting with the Native Americans, and the British started fighting for colonies. The British had won the war and they were left to pay for the war. The British taxed the colonists to pay for the war.
The French and Indian War is important to the Constitution because it helped establish some of the ideas in the Constitution. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was important because it planed to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. It was never carried out however, but it was the first important proposal to conceive of the colonies as a collective whole united under one government.
This relates to the Constitution because it would have granted the legislature the power to tax. Also, the president-general was to make treaties. -
The First Continential Congress
The formation of the First Continental Congress is important because the United States stops trade with England. The American people declare independence from Great Britain. It allowed people to see what they didn't want to have for a government. As a result, they created a Representative Democracy.
This relates to the Constitution because it helped ratify the Articles of Confederation, which was the first form of the U.S. Constitution. -
Second Continental Congress
It was formed in Philadelphia and it is important because it helped establish an active government. Also, it formed the Continental Army, which was led by George Washington and they fought for the colonists. It also helped America declare independence against Great Britain.
This relates to the Constitution because, like the First Continental Congress, it helped form the first U.S. Constitution (a.k.a. the Articles of Confederation). -
The Declaration of Independence
Richard Henry Lee proposed the idea that they need to inform King George III that they are breaking away from them. It was proposed on June 7th and Thomas Jefferson was the one who wrote it. It consisted of the ideas of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It formally created the United States.
This relates to the Constitution because it created ideas and principles behind a just government. The Constitution then outlined how this government would function. -
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Articles of Confederation
It was important because it was the first step to them figuring out how they wanted their government to be. Also, it provided structure to the nation during that time. It helped people figure out what worked and didn't work for the people and the government.
This relates to the Constitution because it is considered the United States' first Constitution. -
Shay's Rebellion
It took place in Massachusetts. The U.S. states starting jailing farmers who couldn't pay their debts. Daniel shays takes 2,000 farmers in a protest and takes them to the arsenal to raid it. The Federal Government was not able to help resolve the conflict. This event helped people realize how weak the Articles of Confederation were.
This relates to the Constitution because it got rid of the Articles of Confederation and helped establish the Constitution we use today. -
The Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan is important because it created a bicameral Congress, which is the two houses we have today. The 1st house is to be elected by the people, so based on population. The 2nd house is to be selected so it is based on population.
This relates to the Constitution because it was the first thing to establish the separation of powers, which is the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. It also separated the house into the Senate and the House of Representatives. -
Three-Fifths Compromise
The Three-fifths Compromise is important because it states that every slave will count as 3/5 of a person so it counts towards population for votes.
This relates to the Constitution because it was in the Constitution that slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the house of representatives. It is also established in the Constitution that every state has the equal amount of chance to vote as other states do. -
New Jersey Plan
It is important because it establishes proportional votes so each state would have the same amount of votes. It was designed to protect the security and power of the small states.
This relates to the Constitution because small states being equally represented in Congress is stated in the Constitution. This is because of the New Jersey Plan.