Early American Documents Page 3 How did Columbus's men sleep on their ships? With their eyes shut!

Standard CE.2b Essential Understanding: American constitutional government is founded on concepts articulated in earlier documents, including the Magna Carta, Charters of the Virginia Company of London, Virginia Declaration of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Virginia Statutes for Religious Freedom. Essential Question: How does the Constitution of the United States of America reflect previous documents, including the Magna Carta, Virginia Company of London, Virginia Declaration of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom? Vocabulary: Magna Carta, Charters of the Virginia Company of London, Virginia Declaration of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Virginia Statutes for Religious Freedom, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights

Matching Activity with the Fundamental Principles of Government

In 1215, English nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta which became the first time the monarch’s power had been limited. Magna Carta

Charters of the Virginia Company of London Guaranteed rights of Englishmen to the colonists.

Virginia Declaration of Rights Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the U.S.

Declaration of Independence Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain

Declaration of Independence Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain

Declaration of Independence Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness”

Declaration of Independence Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” Established idea that all people are equal under the law.

On the left side of your notebook today, divide your paper into four squares. Label each square with one of the documents we learned today, and illustrate it in a way that will help you remember it. Magna Carta Charters of the Virginia Company of London Virginia Declaration of Rights Declaration of Independence

Early American Documents continued Page 5 Why did the golfer change his socks? He had a hole in one!

What is the main point of each of the three documents we looked at yesterday?

Articles of Confederation Established the first form of national government for the independent states Maintained that major powers resided with individual states Weakness of central government (no power to tax and enforce laws) led to the writing of the Constitution of the U.S.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Freedom of religious beliefs and opinion

Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights Establishes the structure of the U.S. government

Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights Establishes the structure of the U.S. government Guarantees equality under the law with the majority rule and the rights of the minority protected

Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights Establishes the structure of the U.S. government Guarantees equality under the law with the majority rule and the rights of the minority protected Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people

Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights Establishes the structure of the U.S. government Guarantees equality under the law with the majority rule and the rights of the minority protected Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments.

22 minute video on writing the Constitution

On the left-hand side of your notebook, draw lines so that the page is divided into three rectangles. In each one, illustrate one of today’s documents in a way that helps you understand it. Be sure to label them. Articles of Confederation Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom U.S. Constitution

Tonight’s Homework Foundations of American Government Vocabulary Review Sheet

Read the book: The Story of the Constitution By: Marilyn Prolman