Origins
primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence
What was to formally declare the American colonies’ separation from Britain and justify the reasons for independence, mainly focusing on the protection of natural rights.
English Bill of Rights (1689) influence American government
established principles like the rule of law, trial by jury, and protection of individual rights
was the first representative assembly in the American colonies
The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619)
the Constitutional Convention was held (place and date)
Philadelphia May 1787
series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support the ratification of the Constitution
Federalist Papers
considered the "Father of the Constitution"
James Madison
Enlightenment thinker argued for natural rights such as life, liberty, and property
John Locke
the Articles of Confederation eventually replaced because
They created a weak central government that could not enforce laws, regulate trade, or collect taxes effectively
original purpose of the Constitutional Convention
to revise the Articles of Confederation
main concern of the Anti-Federalists
new Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and lacked protections for individual rights.
significance of the Mayflower Compact
was an early form of self-government and social contract agreed upon by the Pilgrims before settling in Plymouth.
English document from 1215 limited the power of the king and influenced American constitutional ideas
Magna Carta
the purpose of colonial charters
legal documents granted by the English Crown that outlined the rules and structure of colonial governments
called for a strong national government with three branches and a legislature based on state population
The Virginia Plan
helped gain support for the Constitution’s ratification
The promise to add a Bill of Rights
ancient government influenced the American system of democracy
Ancient Greece, particularly the Athenian model of direct democracy
idea did Montesquieu contribute to the U.S. government structure
separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Colony type that had the most independence from British Crown
Charter Colony
proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring smaller states
The New Jersey Plan
Number of states were required to ratify the Constitution
Nine out of thirteen states
First government of America
Articles of Confederation
Document promised to the states that would encourage the states to ratify the constitution
Bill of Rights
Colony that had the least independence from the British Crown
Royal Colony
Combination of the Virginia and New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
two key states that were reluctant to ratify the Constitution
Virginia and New York