1. Founding Documents
CE.2b

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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