DOCUMENTS OF FREEDOM

#2 FIRST CHARTER OF VA King James 1 of England 1606

First Charter of VA Importance Business agreement w/king of England/Settlers paid tax to king Colonists kept ALL rights of the English Elected Representatives for Law Making Limited Government

Charter’s influence on Constitution CITIZEN’S RIGHTS TO PROPERTY AND LEGAL PROTECTION ARE PROTECTED Amendment 5

#5 VA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS George Mason 1776

VA Declaration of Rights All men are equally free and independent Natural rights= Life, liberty, and property Government for benefit of people Major influence on DOI Bill of Rights

INFLUENCE ON CONSTITUTION LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL BRANCES ARE SEPARATE (ARTICLE 1-3) RIGHT TO: TRIAL BY JURY, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, PRESS ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES AMENDMENTS 1 AND VOTING AMENDMENTS

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Thomas Jefferson 1776 DETAILS Announced separation of colonies from England Discussed Man’s natural rights Discussed abuses of King

INLUENCE ON CONSTITUTION CREATED NEED FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT RIGHTS OF MAN: LIFE LIBERTY AND PROPERTY

VA STATUTE of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Thomas Jefferson 1786 DETAILS Individual religious freedom in Virginia is a “natural right” Separation of church and state: (the government may NOT interfere in your religion)

INFLUENCE ON CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT 1: FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

US CONSTITUTION Connections Charter of VA Company of London Citizens’ rights to property and legal protection Virginia Declaration of Rights Legislative executive judicial branches separate Voting rights, trial by jury, freedom of religion, press Declaration of Independence Created a need for a central government to be established Natural rights of life liberty property

U.S Constitution More connections Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom Inspired the 1 st Amendment: Freedom of Religion Separation of church and state

Constitution (cont) Federalism (div. of powers) Popular sovereignty (voting) Separation of powers Legislative, executive, judicial Limited gov’t (checks and balances) Consent of the Governed (people are the source of all gov’t power)

U.S. Constitution (cont) Why? Plan of gov’t Articles of Confederation weak Too much power to states Proposal: 2/3 both houses Ratification: 3/4 state legis.

#10 U.S. CONSTITUTION Gouvenour Morris (George Mason = Bill of Rights) Signed by delegates 1787 Ratified in 1789

#3 MAYFLOWER COMPACT Who? 41 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower 1620 Why? To establish a gov’t, rules, and laws before they landed

#1 MAGNA CARTA Outcome and rights won Limited powers of king Fine = to the offense No jail unfairly Property not taken

#3 MAYFLOWER COMPACT (cont) Outcome and rights won Pilgrims decide on laws and choose leaders everyone equal under the law First attempt at democracy!!! Self-Government

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS WHO: KING WILLIAM and QUEEN MARY 1689 WHY? GAVE PARLIAMENT AND THE PEOPLE MORE POWER

English Bill of Rights GAVE PARLIAMENT POWER TO MAKE LAWS, RAISE TAXES, CONTROL ARMY GAVE ALL CITIZENS CIVIL LIBERTIES

# 1MAGNA CARTA Who? English Nobles 1215 Why? To take power away from King John

#7 VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION Who? James Madison 1776 Why? Provide for a plan of gov’t Proposal: majority of both houses Ratification: majority vote of voters

#7 VA Constitution (cont) 2 house legislature House of Delegates /Senate Executive : Governor/Lt Gov Judicial: state courts/state supreme court Rights of VA citizens

#8 ARTICLES of CONFEDERATION Who? Members of 2nd Continental Congress Why? Bring states together into a single country

#8 Articles of Confederation (cont) Outcome: 1 house legislature 1 vote per state Limited powers of national gov’t No enforcement of laws or taxes