Road to the Constitution Key By Emily Adamson

Magna Carta In 1215, the nobles of England decided to write a document assuring that they would have rights and King John would respect them. This document was called the Magna Carta. The nobles felt compelled to write the Magna Carta because they believed they were being overtaxed and the king was not respecting their rights. The Magna Carta was significant because it was the first written document that granted people some rights and it laid the foundation for a limited monarchy and legislature.

In 1215, the nobles of

England decided to write a

document assuring that they would

have rights and King John would

respect them. This document was

called the Magna Carta. The nobles

felt compelled to write the Magna

Carta because they believed they

were being overtaxed and the king

was not respecting their rights. The

Magna Carta was significant

because it was the first written

document that granted people some

rights and it laid the foundation for a

limited monarchy and legislature.

Parliament King Henry III regularly met with church officials and nobles to discuss issues within England. These meetings were called Parliament. Gradually, the size of the group grew in size and power. Eventually by the late 1300s, the group was called Parliament and it became a legislature. The Parliament was significant in the English government because the citizens were being represented in government for the first time.

King Henry III regularly met

with church officials and nobles

to discuss issues within

England. These meetings were

called Parliament. Gradually, the

size of the group grew in size

and power. Eventually by the

late 1300s, the group was called

Parliament and it became a

legislature. The Parliament was

significant in the English

government because the

citizens were being represented

in government for the first time.

Glorious Revolution In the late 1600s, the people of England were not satisfied with the way King James II was ruling their country. The Parliament showed they were more powerful than the monarch when they threw King James II out of power in 1688. To ensure their power was greater than the monarch’s, they wrote the English Bills of Rights. The Glorious Revolution was important because from 1688 on, the English citizens’ voices would be heard through the Parliament and their voices would be stronger than that of the monarch’s.

In the late 1600s, the people of

England were not satisfied with the

way King James II was ruling their

country. The Parliament showed

they were more powerful than the

monarch when they threw King

James II out of power in 1688. To

ensure their power was greater than

the monarch’s, they wrote the

English Bills of Rights. The Glorious

Revolution was important because

from 1688 on, the English citizens’

voices would be heard through the

Parliament and their voices would be

stronger than that of the monarch’s.

House of Burgesses In 1607, English colonists established the first North American colony, Jamestown, in Virginia. These colonists faced many problems like disease and hunger. In 1619, the people of Jamestown took the initiative of sending two representatives from each plantation or town to represent them in a group. This group was called the House of Burgesses and they tried to solve the problems of the settlement. Even though the House of Burgesses may not have been successful in solving problems, it’s important because it was the first legislature and attempt at a representative government in colonial America.

In 1607, English colonists

established the first North American

colony, Jamestown, in Virginia. These

colonists faced many problems like

disease and hunger. In 1619, the

people of Jamestown took the initiative

of sending two representatives from

each plantation or town to represent

them in a group. This group was called

the House of Burgesses and they tried

to solve the problems of the

settlement. Even though the House of

Burgesses may not have been

successful in solving problems, it’s

important because it was the first

legislature and attempt at a

representative government in colonial

America.

Mayflower Compact In 1620, forty one of the pilgrims drew up and signed a document called the Mayflower Compact before they reached Massachusetts. This document stated that their government would make laws that would be good for all of the community and that they would have a direct democracy. Their establishment of a direct democracy is important because it was the start of many other groups choosing a direct democracy in New England.

In 1620, forty one of the pilgrims

drew up and signed a document

called the Mayflower Compact before

they reached Massachusetts. This

document stated that their

government would make laws that

would be good for all of the

community and that they would have

a direct democracy. Their

establishment of a direct democracy is

important because it was the start of

many other groups choosing a direct

democracy in New England.

Enlightenment Period In the 1680s to 1770s, there was a period of philosophizing about government. People were beginning to write documents about how governments should be and act (greater rights, equality). During this time period this literature spread and people began to question their government. Even though the center of the Enlightenment Period in France, it had an impact on our government today because it laid the foundation for our constitution.

In the 1680s to 1770s, there

was a period of philosophizing

about government. People

were beginning to write

documents about how governments

should be and act (greater rights,

equality). During this time period this

literature spread and people began to

question their government. Even

though the center of the

Enlightenment Period in France, it had

an impact on our government today

because it laid the foundation for our

constitution.

Mercantilism All throughout the colonies’ history, the British were always looking to make a profit off of them. In the 1600s and 1700s, the British followed mercantilism, that a country should export more goods than it imports because they believed it would make them wealthier. The colonists didn’t like paying the high taxes, selling their goods for a lower price, and buying them from Britain at a much higher one. Spain, France, and even some of the colonists started a secret sales of goods because of the high prices. The policy of mercantilism is important because it angered the colonists which was part of the process leading to our independence.

All throughout the colonies’

history, the British were always

looking to make a profit off of them.

In the 1600s and 1700s, the British

followed mercantilism, that a country

should export more goods than it imports

because they believed it would make

them wealthier. The colonists didn’t like

paying the high taxes, selling their goods

for a lower price, and buying them from

Britain at a much higher one. Spain,

France, and even some of the colonists

started a secret sales of goods because of

the high prices. The policy of

mercantilism is important because it

angered the colonists which was part of

the process leading to our independence.

Declaration of Independence In 1776, most of the delegates that met at the First and Second Continental Congress felt they must because independent from Britain. They formed a group to write a document to announce their independence, The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in our history because it was the biggest step towards independence and it showed that everyone has the right to be independent.

In 1776, most of the delegates

that met at the First and Second

Continental Congress felt they must

because independent from Britain.

They formed a group to write a

document to announce their

independence, The Declaration of

Independence. The Declaration of

Independence is one of the most

important documents in our history

because it was the biggest step

towards independence and it showed

that everyone has the right to be

independent.