What do these ideas have in common? Stop and Frisk law PATRIOT Act Abortion Laws You being at a house party

They ALL deal with Constitutional and Individual Rights Why are the old documents so crucial? How did they influence the Constitution? ….Who cares!?

Happy Constitution Day  YOU!!!!! It is because of the individuals who wrote these documents and continued to encourage their use that YOU have the individual rights and freedoms today. Happy Constitution Day 

Preamble to the US Constitution

Documents Project “Stepping Stones to the Constitution” Magna Carta Mayflower Compact Fundamental Orders of Connecticut English Bill of Rights Two Treatises of Government Common Sense Virginia Declaration of Rights Declaration of Independence Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom Articles of Confederation Federalist #14 U.S. Bill of Rights

Influences on American Government

Democratic Government (it wasn’t our idea…shhh…)

Greeks and Romans Democratic government began with their ideas of direct and representative democracy

The Magna Carta (1215) English Lords force King John I to sign it First attempt to limit power of the British monarchy Spells out rights of nobles Witnesses allowed at trial No unlawful search and seizure Trial by jury Creation of Parliament

Mayflower Compact (1619) Written by 41 men rep. Pilgrim families Elected their own leaders Made their own laws Social contract: people make rules, grant power to a government

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1636) Thomas Hooker & other Puritan leaders American’s 1st “written constitution” a social contract details of government processes: elections, laws, etc. Outlines assembly & court makeup (ordered government)

English Bill of Rights (1689) British Nobility (Parliament) William & Mary accepted it to take the thrown in England Assured English people basic civil rights and limited the power of the monarchy No excessive bail or fines No cruel or unusual punishment Suspension of public laws or raising armies during peace time can only be done with consent of parliament

Two Treatises of Government (1690) John Locke Dissolution of government from within if not working for the people “men, by nature are inherently equal”…should not be ruled with out their consent people must give up some power for the common good  majority rule

Sooo…we start a war for FREEDOM. >:I And eventually win Sooo…we start a war for FREEDOM!! >:I And eventually win!!  Oh…then we have to set up our own government :/

National Archives Documents Project We have been asked to develop an exhibit as an extension in the National Archives! (have you ever been there? Go!) Groups will be assigned document Read original document, research context Identify key components which inspired aspects of the U.S. Constitution Create an engaging, detailed display of doc. Set up display for museum walk in class before sending it off to National Archives

Documents Project Name of Document Image/Symbol to represent main document idea Date of Publication Author(s) History/Context/Purpose surrounding this document (What was happening in this region at this time?) Summary of Ideas Logically organized Clear detailed bullet points Well-rounded overview 7. Creative approach to draw visitors in, visually engaging, neatly completed (i.e. direct quotes, artifacts to supplement info, slogans, etc.) Proper grammar and writing mechanics

What is your goal here? Create a display which emphasizes key components of the document and how/why it is considered a “Stepping Stone” to the US Constitution You will need to assess the significance of each document in the museum walk and choose ONE stepping stone as being the most influential and explain WHY (Friday)

Common Sense (1775) Thomas Paine Unite Colonies against England Fuel the fires of the Revolution “Tis time to part”

VA Declaration of Rights (1776) written by George Mason outlined rights and liberties of “citizens” of VA served as a model for the US Bill of Rights

Declaration of Independence (1776) justified American fight for self-rule declared colonies independent from England listed 27 grievances against King George stated our new nation would be founded on “human liberty and consent of the governed” Thomas Jefferson, the primary author, was very much influenced by John Locke

VA Statute of Religious Freedom (1777) written by Thomas Jefferson stated there should be NO state religion… people were free to exercise religious freedom, including practicing NO religion at all taxpayer money should not be used to support the church (any church)

The Articles of Confederation (1781) the first attempt at a national constitution created a loose “league of friendship” among the states its writers did not want a strong central government, like in England created a weak national government with limited powers

The Articles of Confederation (1781) Congress COULD: Borrow money Create a national army and navy Declare war Create post offices Sign treaties with foreign nations

The Articles of Confederation (1781) Congress COULD NOT: levy taxes draft soldiers into military service regulate commerce There was NO: national executive (president) judicial branch (court system) Each state was equal, with one vote, regardless of size or population 9/13 states required to pass legislation Unanimous (13/13) vote required to amend Articles

Federalist #14 (1788) James Madison (Hamilton, Hay) Argued Constitution’s federal system and separation of powers would protect rights of the people All essays advocated strong central government & ratification of Constitution

U.S. Bill of Rights (1791) James Madison First 10 amendments to Constitution Protect individual freedoms