Founding Documents CE.2b

Which founding documents influenced the Constitution? Carters of the Virginia Company of London Virginia Declaration of Rights Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation

What were The Charters of the Virginia Company of London? 1607 King James of England Provided a government for the Virginia Colony Guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists

What was the Virginia Declaration of Rights? June 1776 George Mason Proclaimed the inherent rights of men, including the right to rebel against an inadequate government Was a model for the Bill of Rights and the rights are contained in the Bill of Rights

What was the Declaration of Independence? July 1776 Primary Author- Thomas Jefferson Declared the colonies independent Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Established the idea that all people are created equal under the law

What were the Articles of Confederation? 1781 Continental Congress Gave power to the individual states Established the first form of government for the independent states Created a weak central government with no power to tax or enforce laws Led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America

What Was the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom? Passed in 1786 Thomas Jefferson Freedom of religion Established separation of church and state

Exit Question What document do you think was most influential? Why do you think this?