1. Documents that Influenced the American System of Government

2. Magna Carta, 1215
Document that forced King John to follow the laws of England just like other citizens.
Limited the power of the British king by guaranteeing rights to the people.
These rights were:
No cruel & unusual punishment (Bill of Rights, Amendment 5)
The right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury (Bill of Rights, Amendment 6)
The government must have the peoples’ approval to levy (collect) taxes (House of Representatives).

3. The House of Burgesses, 1619
Written in Virginia in 1619, the House of Burgesses is the first example of an elected representative assembly in the Americas.
The House of Burgesses helped advise Virginia’s colonial governor in making laws.
The H of B made life more fair for those already living in the Virginia colony and had a role in enticing other new settlers to come to Virginia.

4. The Mayflower Compact, 1620
Written agreement signed by the Pilgrims (41 men) when they landed near Plymouth.
Contained 2 Important Principles
Recognized the authority of the king to make laws and appoint colonial governors.
Also united the colonists under a contract of self-government in order to make local laws for the good of the people.
Government by the people is a major principle in our Constitution today.

5. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1636
Considered the first written constitution in the colonies
Outlined the following principles:
Voting for representatives who could be removed if not performing their jobs
Separation of church and state
Use of secret ballots in voting
All other colonies modeled their constitutions like it.
The United States Constitution contains ideas found in the early colonial constitutions including the Fundamental Orders of CT.

6. English Bill of Rights, 1689
Monarchs William and Mary of Orange agreed to allow the parliament (congress) power over the monarchy by making it the only body that could make laws.
Additional rights gained:
Freedom of speech and debate (Bill of Rights, Amendment 1)
No excessive bails, right to petition government and a right to a fair trial (Bill of Rights, Amendments 1 and 5)