1. Historical Documents Review Magna Carta Virginia House of Burgess Mayflower Compact Fundamental Orders of Connecticut English Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Northwest Ordinance U.S. Constitution Federalist Papers U.S. Bill of Rights

2. Magna Carta - 1215 First document of English rights, trial by jury, could not be deprived of life, liberty, and property, signed by King John. Also limited the power of the King (monarchy).

3. Virginia House of Burgesses - 1619 First representative government in colonial America (English Colonies).

4. Mayflower Compact - 1620 Document written by founders of Plymouth Colony that provided the basis (a social contract) for law and first form of self- government in the new colony

5. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 Document written that expanded representative government and individual rights. Also established a plan for people to elect their officials.

6. English Bill of Rights - 1689 Passed by Parliament – English rights reinforced, no taxation, right to petition, individual rights (took the idea of trial by jury from the Magna Carta)

7. Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Document written by Thomas Jefferson, American colonies declare independence from England, list of grievances against King George III

8. Articles of Confederation 1781 to 1788 First government of United States, states had more power than weak national government – no standing army, no power to tax, no courts, no executive branch. Eventually replaced by the Constitution.

9. Northwest Ordinance - 1787 Law passed to bring American territories into the United States as states on equal basis with original 13 states

10. Constitution - 1787 A document written that defines the government, restrains the powers of the government, and guarantees certain rights to the people

11. Federalist Papers 1787 - 1788 A series of essays written that explained reasons why people should adopt the new US constitution, authors: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

12. Bill of Rights – Ratified in 1789 Created to ensure the rights of the people and to address the grievances listed against the king of England