1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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

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

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

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

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

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