Documents to the

revolution

English Roots of American Democracy

Magna Carta (1215)

Agreement between the English Nobles and King John

Limits kings power by protecting nobles from unfair rules and laws

Magna Carta EstablishesRule of Law

Government is based on clear and fairly enforced laws

No one is above the law – not even the king!

Due Process: No one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures and safeguards

trial by juryright to lawyer.right to remain silentsearch warrantsHabeas Corpus: right of

the accused to be brought before a judge and be charged with a crime (48 hours)

Examples of the Rule of Law

Mayflower Compact (1620)First example of direct democracy in colonies Signed by 41 men on Mayflower

Colonial Experience

Virginia House of Burgesses: 1st example of Representative Democracy /

Republic / Indirect (1619)

Colonial Experience

The Ultimate Break-Up Letter:The Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson

Approved on July 4th, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress

Our 1st attempt at NATIONAL governmentState governments existed as well

Confederation: Power is concentrated in the states and not the national government

Bad experience under the strong central government of Britain

Allowed states to do their own thing, but prohibited the states from acting as one nation to solve problems facing the young USA

Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)