Historic Documents That Influenced Ideas About the U.S. Government

Constitution of the United States of America

- The supreme law of the United States. - Agreement that created a more unified national structure for the U.S., providing for a legislature and independent executive and judicial authority; Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights

King William and Queen Mary accepted this document in 1689. It guaranteed certain rights to English citizens and declared that elections for Parliament would happen frequently. By accepting this document, they supported a limited monarchy, a system in which they shared their power with Parliament and the people.

Mayflower Compact

This document was drafted in 1620 prior to settlement by the Pilgrims at Plymouth Bay in Massachusetts. It declared that the 41 males who signed it agreed to accept majority rule and participate in a government in the best interest of all members of the colony. This agreement set the precedent for later documents outlining commonwealth rule.

Magna Carta

This document, signed by King John of Endland in 1215, is the cornerstone of English justice and law. It declared that the king and government were bound by the same laws as other citizens of England. It contained the antecedents of the ideas of due process and the right to a fair and speedy trial that are included in the protection offered by the U.S. Bill of Rights

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (using the name "publius") published in NY newspapers and used to convice readers to adopt the new constitution

Bill of Rights

a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the Second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

Article of Confederation

the first government of the U.S. ratified in 1781. Put much of the power with the state governments (including the power to tax and regulate trade), this left the national government weak and unable to raise money to pay back war debts