1. Influential Documents
Mayflower Compact
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
Common Sense
Collection of Good Ideas
Where did America get its BIG ideas about government?

2. What’s the big idea? Rule of Law Self Government Due Process
All people must follow the laws, (including our representatives in government) and the laws should be enforced fairly.
Self Government
A popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government.
Due Process
Your government owes you a certain process before they take away your freedoms. (like a trial by jury)
Limited Government
A government that has been limited in power by a constitution, or written agreement.
Rights
A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions.

3. Magna Carta
1215-
The Magna Carta was a government document that limited the power of the king of England and protected the rights of the nobility.
Big Ideas:
Limited Government
Natural Rights
Rule of Law
Due Process
Magna Carta

4. Mayflower Compact
1620- The Mayflower Compact was written by a group of English Pilgrims as they traveled to Massachusetts.
It was an agreement that created a government that would provide order and protect the rights of the colonists.
Big Ideas:
Self Government
Rule of Law
Mayflower Compact
Magna Carta

5. English Bill of Rights
1689- The English Bill of Rights was a government document that expanded the powers of the English Parliament (congress) and expanded the rights of the people, as well as further limited the rights of the king.
Big Ideas:
Natural Rights
Limited Government
Due Process
Rule of Law
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
Mayflower Compact

6. Common Sense
1776- Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to convince the American colonists to break away from England and become independent because the King was violating their natural rights.
Big Ideas:
Self Government
Natural Rights
English Bill of Rights
Common Sense
Magna Carta
Mayflower Compact

7. Influential Documents: What’s the big IDEA?
Directions: Use the “Big IDEAS handouts” at your table to follow the following steps:
Match up each primary/secondary source set with the influential document/big ideas combination that best fits.
Be ready to use evidence from the sources to explain your choices at your table with your classmates.

8. Exit Question
Which “Big Idea” found in our Constitution do you think is the most important? Why?