1. Unit A: Basics of the Law Objective 01.01
Understand the origins of law.
EVOLUTION OF THE LAW

2. Evolution of American Law
Laws are rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice in that society.
American law, like its people, is a blending of changing ideas and diverse cultures.

3. A Legal Timeline: Code of Hammurabi Circa 1750 BC
Oldest known written code of laws
Sumerian King Hammurabi
Civil and Criminal Laws and Penalties

4. Judeo-Christian Influences
Circa 1200 BC until 1st century AD
The Ten Commandments
Set of Jewish laws
The Bible
Old and New Testament religious rules of conduct
Christianity influenced American law

5. Greek Legal System Philosophers debated ideals of justice
Circa 620 BC Draco, the Greek lawgiver, classified law into four areas: tort, family, public and procedural laws
“Rule of Law” should govern man, not other men
First legal system using a jury
Included laws of commerce and property

6. Twelve Tablets of Roman Civil Law
Circa 450 BC
Romans adapted Greek laws
Applied to Roman citizens
Civil Laws
Civil Obligations

7. Roman Empire 560 AD Emperor Justinian
“Corpus Juris Civilis” means body of civil law
Laws applied to Holy Roman Empire which spread over Western Europe

8. The Magna Carta 1215 AD Established English constitutional liberties
Basic human rights
Protection from abuse by government

9. English Common Law Developed in 12th Century England
Unwritten law based on local customs

10. **International Note** Napoleanic Law
Influenced by Roman Civil Law
Established by Emperor Napoleon of France
Transported to French Colonies
Quebec Province, Canada
Louisiana, USA

11. **International Note**
Legal systems following Napoleanic Code
Modern day Quebec, Canada
Modern day Louisiana, USA
Did not accept the entire Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
Louisiana has modified many state laws to correspond with 49 other states for uniformity

12. Constitutions
A document which spells out the principles by which a government rules and the fundamental laws that govern a society
American constitutions
US Constitution (1787)
Each state has a constitution

13. Timeline is Incomplete…
American law is constantly changing as our society changes.
Our laws change to meet the needs of society.

14. **International Note**
In other countries, laws are based on moral and religious rules.
Islam: Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, practice the Muslim faith.
Hinduism: India studies the Mahabharata for rules of living.
Buddhism: Southeast Asia and Japan follow the teachings of Buddha.

15. Student Response:
Can you name a law that passed in reaction to events of 9/11?
PATRIOT ACT
Can you name other laws that recently passed or changed?