Magna Carta - 1215

● Limited the king’s powers

& guaranteed certain
rights to the people
● Established the Grand
Council (which later
became known as
Parliament)
Virginia House of
Burgesses - 1619
● 1st example of
representative
government in the
colonies
● Bicameral (2 house)
legislature
● Modeled after the
English Parliament
Mayflower Compact - 1620
● Social contract created by
the Pilgrims to make &
obey laws for the good of
the colony
● Formed a “civil body
politick”
Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut - 1639
● Established by Thomas
Hooker
● 1st written constitution in the
colonies
● People had the right to elect
governors, judges, & a
legislature
English Bill of Rights - 1689

● Parliament’s elections should

be held regularly
● English citizens have
protected individual rights
(Ex.: trial by jury)
John Locke - 1690
● European Enlightenment
philosopher
● Influenced Jefferson & the writing
of the Declaration of
Independence with the idea of
natural rights
● Believed government is a social
contract with limited powers
Baron de Montesquieu - 1748

● Expanded on Locke’s beliefs

● Wrote about the separation of
powers - 3 branches
● Believed that education is a
necessity in a republic
Declaration of Independence - 1776
● Written by Thomas Jefferson
● Let the world know the 13 colonies
were breaking free from British
rule
● Listed grievances against King
George III
Articles of Confederation -
1777-1787
● America’s 1st plan of
government
● Gave most of the power
to the states
● Very weak central
government
 The U.S. Constitution
September 17, 1787
“Supreme Law of the Land”

Father of the Constitution: James Madison

***Place the information on
this slide in the box on the 3 parts: Preamble
trunk of the tree. Articles (7)
Amendments (27)
 Who: CONGRESS
House of Representatives
Based on population
2 year terms
Must be 25 years old
Legislative Branch
Article 1 Senate
Based on equal representation - 2 per state
Duty: Makes the laws 6 year terms
Must be 30 years old
 Who: President
Vice President
Cabinet
Executive Branch
Article 2 4 year term; 2 term limit
Duty: Execute or Must be 35 years old
enforce the laws
 Who: Supreme Court (9 Justices) &
other federal courts

Supreme Court justices appointed

by President & approved by
Judicial Branch Congress
Article 3
Duty: Interpret Term: Life, upon good behavior
the laws