Origins of the US Constitution 1787 (ratified 1791)

Magna Carta 1215

No cruel & unusual punishment

Right to fair & speedy trial by peers

Govt' must have peoples approval to levy taxes

Second Treatise of Civil Gov't John Locke 1689

Basis of legitimate gov't

a

Ruler gains authority through consent of governed

Protect natural rights of people

Life, Liberty & Property

If gov't fails to protect citizens, they have a right to overthrow gov't

Virginia House of Burgesses 1619

a

First elected representative assembly in America

Elected from each county in Virginia with each county sending two representatives

Great Law of Peace 12th Cent. HAUDENOSAUNEE

Developed by Iroquois Nation

a

Oldest, highly evolved participatory democracy

Included: Freedom of speech, religion,

Separation of Powers

2 houses & Grand Counsel

Women's Counsel = to Supreme Court

Benjamin Franklin + Albany Congress 1754

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1636

First written Constitution in Colonies that outlined how gov't worked

Powers & Limits of gov't

Framework for their government needed to be written and approved by representatives of the people

English Bill of Rights 1689

Freedom of speech & debate

No excess bails

Right to petition gov't

Right to trial

Mayflower Compact 1626

Contract to self gov't

Gov't organized for good of people

Petition of Rights 1628

Rights of commoners to have a voice in gov't

Declaration of Independence 1776

Unalienable Rights

Gov't gets power from people

People have right to replace bad gov't

Constitutional Convention 1787

Virginia Plan May 1787

James Madison

Proposed strong central gov't

3 Branches

New Jersey Plan June 1787

a

Each state to have 1 vote in Congress

Based on population

William Patterson

ONE house = ONE repr. from EACH state

Connecticut Compromise Plan July 1787

Roger Sherman

Proportional Gov't

ONE Repr. per state

2 houses

Senate

House of Repr.