Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution Charters of the Virginia Company of London King James I gave the Virginia company permission to establish a colony in North America Colonists were guaranteed the same rights as Englishmen Also set up a council to handle the day to day government of the colony—it was not enough and many changes were made until the King finally took away the charter and made Virginia a royal colony

Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution The Virginia Declaration of Rights Written by George Mason “all men are by nature equally free and independent” All men are born with rights that could not be taken away, government serves the people Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution

Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Written by Thomas Jefferson Statute= law At the time you had to go to the church that you were told to go to Jefferson felt that you should not be made to go to a specific church Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions

Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution Declaration of Independence Stated their complaints against the King of Great Britain Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain stated “certain unalienable rights”—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Established the idea that all people are equal under the law

Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution Declaration of Independence Support for separation from England increased Taxation without representation—paying taxes without a representative in Parliament to protect their interests “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”

Documents that influenced the U.S. Constitution Articles of Confederation First form of government for the independent states Maintained that major powers resided with individual states Weakness of central government No power to tax—can’t provide services without money= no national military Cannot enforce laws—laws could be different from state to state No executive or judicial branch

Charters of the Virginia Company of London Who created it? What was it? Why is it important?

The Virginia Declaration of Rights Who created it? What was it? Why is it important?

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Who created it? What was it? Why is it important?

The Declaration of Independence Who created it? What was it? Why was it important?

Articles of Confederation Who created it? What was it? Why was it important?