Constitution
Basic Law (Grundgesetz)
Prioritizes human dignity, fundamental rights, and rule of law to prevent the return of dictatorship. Acts as a supreme legal framework which binds all state authority. Designated that a constitution should prevent a return of totalitarianism. Also provided the basis for a constitution as more than just a framework, but a system designed to provide stability for a territory.
Charter of Maryland
Established a proprietary colony designed to be a sort of “haven” for English Catholics, but still promoted religious freedom for all Christians. Gave one family power over the colony subject only to the king. Some sort of “constitution” was needed as a sort of permission slip for colonies. Authority was derived directly from the crown. However, contrasts modern day as it lacked ideas such as popular sovereignty as it concentrated all the power to a single family.
The Isolation of Japan
The beginnings of Japan was largely isolationist, with a 200 year foreign policy that was put in place and enforced by the Tokugawa shogunate to eliminate foreign, mainly Christian influence and secure centralized control. Japan prohibited travel abroad and foreign trade from the early 1600s to the mid 1800s when they were forced to open up to foreign influence due to the rise in the American economic presence.
Civil rights movement
A transformative, largely nonviolent social movement aimed at ending legal segregation, racial discrimination, and disenfranchisement of African Americans.
Abstract vs Concrete Judiciary
Give a specific example of each:
Concrete: A court evaluates the constitutionality of a law based on a lawsuit. There must be an actual controversy before any action takes place. This usually happens after a law has taken effect and caused harm.
Abstract: The court evaluates the constitutionality of a law without a specific case or real-world victim. A political body (like a group of parliamentarians) asks the court to check a law, often before it goes into effect.
Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina
Drafted by John Locke, established a feudal-style government for the colony which aimed to prevent numerous democracies. Centered on inherited land ownership and guaranteed religious toleration. Served as a negative example for drafting constitutions. The document was a constitution in name and form, but failed to account for reality, overly utopian. Purely theoretical and did not function like a true one.
New laws of the Indies (1542 - 1543)
These charters which were issued by Charles the V of Spain were used to protect indigenous rights, and establish right protections. This relates to the question as it introduced new civil liberty protections and limits on absolute rule in order to prevent despotism, used defined structures to exhibit checks and balances, and adapted European rule of law to their colonies mirroring American colonial efforts of exhibiting rule of law in their own land.
Myanmar 2021 Coup
The military justified the coup as they claimed constitutional authority under an article which allowed for emergency rule. Parts may have been fabricated or misused for the justification. Even written constitutions can be impacted if they are not clearly structured. Reinforces the idea that constitutions need checks and balances and safeguards against tyranny.
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572
A targeted wave of Catholic mob violence and assassinations against French Huguenots (Protestants) causing them to flee from persecution, with many migrating to the American colonies. As a result, vital skills in farming, crafts, and medicine were brought to the colonies, contributing to the growth and diversity of colonies like South Carolina, Virginia, and New York
Two Treatises of Government
Justified the Glorious Revolution. Locke's theories about natural rights, social contract, and right to revolution deeply influenced the colonists. Provided a basis for a written constitution. Governments were “meant” to exist by contract so it should be written down to prevent tyranny. Applied English/enlightenment thought to the colonies.
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)
This constitution established a representative general assembly that was elected by freemen, limiting the governor's authority and creating a framework for lawmaking through checks on power. This constitution relates to the question because it builds on past British parliamentary traditions, in order to emphasize the consent of the governed and defined branches, which prevents capricious rule and laid the groundwork for balanced self governance in order to avoid chaos in society.
Institutes of the Lawes of England
Often considered the first common law textbooks, four volumes which helped serve as a sort of legal encyclopedia covering land tenure, statutes, criminal law, and court jurisdictions. Provides a reason for the colonists' written documents because they could be used to codify common law, making it more enforceable. Supports written constitutions as an evolution of ancient code.
Liberian Declaration of Independence (1847)
It was a declaration that declared sovereignty and affirmed natural rights/government by consent for African Americans slaves who settled in Liberia. This relates to the question because it stressed civil liberties and consent of the people to be protected against suppression; mirroring colonists efforts to prevent chaos through rule of law and the social contract.
Flushing Remonstrance
Petition by citizens in New Netherland to the Dutch governor protesting the persecution of Quakers. Not a constitution, but pushed for “law of love, peace and liberty” in their town charter. Illustrates the concept of natural rights and petitioning the government, suggesting protection of minority rights over tyrannical majorities.
Living Constitution
Give 2 SCOTUS examples of this
Instrument of government 1653
First detailed written constitution adopted in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Created a single-executive and a triennial Parliament which aimed to provide stability after the civil war. Can be used to prove that the idea of a written constitution was already around and their written documents were similar to their British heritage. Mirrored British hope to provide stability.
Superior Council of Louisiana (1714 - 1769)
These records show local colonists who formed the council in an effort to enact laws, handle disputes, and check the governor's power under French absolutism, this relates to the question because it demonstrates key principles such as separation of powers and rule of law. This ultimately led to the push for more defined branches of government and strengthen legitimacy.
Vietnamese Declaration of Independence (1945)
This declaration was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam in an attempt to gain independence from French rule, quoting the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution principles in order to insight self-determination.
Superior Council of Louisiana
Were records that showed local colonists who formed the council in an effort to enact laws, handle disputes, and check the governor's power under French absolutism.
Learning Resources Inc. V. Trump (2026)
In Learning Resources V. Trump the Supreme Court took down President Trump's tariffs that were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruling that the law had not granted the president authority to impose tariffs, a power given to congress under the constitution. This SCOTUS case relates to the question because it demonstrates separation of powers and the supremacy in the constitutions structure, without any clear branches or limits, executive overreach can cause economic chaos and weaken trust thus clear branches preserve balance like how the early colonial documents evolved toward more balanced self governance.
Henrician Articles (1573)
The Henrician Articles made Nobles require king election by consent, which gave power to parliament with veto/representation, while limiting royal power through assemblies. This relates to the question because it demonstrates consent of the governed and defined branches in order to prevent authoritarian monarchy, mirroring colonists' replication of European freedoms against despotic absolute rule.
Concessions and Agreements of West New Jersey (1677)
These agreements promised an elected assembly, religious freedom, fair trials, and put limits on governor power. These agreements relate to the question because they demonstrate consent of the governed and rule of law from British heritage, thus using defined structures, they can prevent instability from unchecked power.
New laws of the Indies (1542 - 1543)
These charters which were issued by Charles the V of Spain were used to protect indigenous rights, and establish right protections. This introduced new civil liberty protections and limits on absolute rule in order to prevent despotism and exhibiting checks and balances.
Trump V. Barbara
SCOTUS case challenging Trumps executive order on limiting birthright citizenship up children with at least one citizen. Undermines fundamental civil liberties like those found in the Bill of Rights which protect citizens and limit capricious government rule mirroring colonists' emphasis on rights protections in order to prevent tyrannical suppression.
Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges
A foundational document ensuring religious freedom, a representative General Assembly, and civil liberties for settlers