Influence of Earlier Documents on American Government SOL: CE 2b

American constitutional government is founded on concepts articulated in earlier documents.

Earlier Documents The charters of the Virginia Company of London guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.

Charters of the VA Company Author: King James I (of England) Impact: Provided the first government for the Virginia colony

Earlier Documents The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Virginia Declaration of Rights Author: George Mason Impact: Many rights later contained in the Bill of Rights

Earlier Documents Author: Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence stated grievances against the king of Great Britain declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) established the idea that all people are equal under the law. Author: Thomas Jefferson

Earlier Documents The Articles of Confederation established the first form of national government for the independent states maintained that major powers resided with individual states created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws); led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Articles of Confederation Author: Continental Congress Impact: States would hold power

Earlier Documents The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Author: Thomas Jefferson Impact: Stated separation of church and state

The Constitution of the United States (and Bill of Rights) established the structure of the United States government affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

The Constitution of the United States (and Bill of Rights)

The Constitution of the United States (and Bill of Rights)

Review Quiz

What document guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists? The Charters of the Virginia Company

What two documents did Thomas Jefferson write? The Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

What was the first government for the new states? The Articles of Confederation

Which document served as a model for the Bill of Rights? Virginia Declaration of Rights

What document established the idea that all people are equal under the law? The Declaration of Independence

What document establishes the structure of American government? The Constitution of the United States

Which document stated that states should have more power than the national government? The Articles of Confederation

Under the Constitution who rules and whose rights are protected? Majority rules with the rights of the minority protected

Which document led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States? The Articles of Confederation