Aim: We are going to learn about the major documents in the history of our country.

Magna Carter (1215) Magna Carta was the most significant early influence on the historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in the English speaking world. Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many constitutional documents, including the United States Constitution. Many clauses were renewed throughout the Middle Ages and continued to be renewed as late as the 18th century. By the second half of the 19th century, however, most clauses in their original form had been repealed from English Law http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/magnacarta/

Mayflower Compact (1620)

Mayflower Compact 1620-Group of pilgrims set sail from England to America on the Mayflower They hoped to start a colony where they could worhship as they pleased On board they created a plan for how they would govern themselves They agreed to live under this common law It was called the Mayflower Compact

Declaration of Independence (1776) http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/declarationofindependence/

Declaration of Independence (1776) About 150 years after the Mayflower Compact Residents in the British colony became angry with the British Government. Pariament decided that the colonists pay more taxes to Great Britian. Colonists protested and fighting broke out. Colonists wanted to break away from Great Britian Thomas Jefferson and other formed a committee to write an explanation to the world This explanation became known as the Declaration of Independence.

The US Constitution (1787) http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/usconstitution/

The US Constitution (1787) After independence each colony became a separate state. Thirteen new states formed an association together under the Articles of Confederation but it was too weak to protect the nation. Representative met again in Philadelphia in 1787 to deal with these problems. They wrote a new constitution called the US Constitution.

The Bill of Rights (1791) http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/billofrights/

The Bill of Rights (1791) The original had no bill of rights. After it was approved congress proposed a Bill of Rights with many important protections against government abuse. Bill of Rights was added to Constitution in 1791.