1. Magna Carta What Is It? Influences on US Constitution
(The Great Charter)
1215
Agreement between English Nobles and King John that guaranteed certain rights to the nobles; those rights later extended to all citizens.
No taxation without representation
Trial by jury
Citizens entitled to protection of the law
Monarch must obey laws; does not have absolute authority

2. The English Bill of Rights
Influence on the U.S. Government
1689
Drafted by Parliament after William and Mary came to the throne in the Glorious Revolution
Changed government from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarch, which placed limits on the power of monarchs
Executive cannot suspend the legislature’s law
Legislature sets taxes
Freedom of Speech
Citizens can address the government about a complaint without fear of punishment

3. The Declaration of Independence
1776
Statement of reasons (grievances) why the American colonies had a right to separate from England
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson
Influenced by ideas of John Locke (Life, liberty and property)

4. Declaration of Independence
Influences on US Constitution
*Incorporated rights expressed in the Magna Carta
All free citizens are political equals
Unalienable (natural rights) - life, liberty, pursuit of happiness – CANNOT be taken away by the government
Government gets its powers from the consent of the people
Citizens have right to change or abolish any government that threatens their unalienable rights
Executive (president) does not have absolute authority over the legislature and the judiciary
Military should be under civil control

5. The Federalist Papers What Is It? Influence on US Constitution
A series of 85 newspaper essays in defense of the Constitution
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
Increased support for the separation and division of powers and the system of checks and balances
Promoted federalism – the balance of power between the federal and state governments

6. Articles of Confederation

7. WHO?
This document was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, but didn’t take full effect until it was fully ratified by the 13 independent states which was established on the first of March, 1781.

8. WHEN?
The Articles of Confederation was ratified on November 15, 1777 in York, Pennsylvania.

9. WHY?
The Articles of Confederation was created primarily as a system of government for the new nation.

10. WHAT?
This document gave the 13 individual state governments’ more power than the Federal Government..

11. INFLUENCES
It was the first governing document for the United States of America.
It established a Union for the thirteen states.

12. Details of the Articles of Confederation
Establish a confederation among states.
Each state gets one vote regardless of population.
The powers are divided between the state and national government.
Powers of national government- declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, establish a postal service, set standards for coins, weights and measures.

13. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No executive branch.
No judicial branch.
Congress could not collect taxes.
The one vote rule was unfair to large states.
Nine of thirteen states had to agree to pass a law.
All states had to approve an article to be amended.
No national unity.

14. The U.S. Constitution
Established in 1787 with the help of James Madison (father of constitution) Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
The Great Compromise offered a two house congress, equal representation in the senate, and representation based on population in the house.
Reasons of establishment
Needed a strong central government that unified the states.
Articles of Confederation didn’t work.

15. Details of the Constitution
Three branch government; judicial, legislative, and executive.
Each branch checks and balances each other.
Federalism – powers divided between states and national governments.
Constitution can be changed through the amendment process.
No rights to the people.

16. Bill of Rights Established 1791
The anti-federalists led by Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee pushed for a national bill of rights.
The people of the United States wanted their rights and freedom protected.
Bill of Rights make up first ten amendments of U.S. Constitution.

17. Details of Bill of Rights
Freedom of religion
Right to bear arms
Right to accuse persons
Right to a speedy trial of one’s peers
Rights and powers of people
The biggest weakness was that it did not include native Americans, women or slaves.