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STANDARD CE.2b
Influential Documents that Shaped our Constitutional Government |
The Standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge
of the foundations of American constitutional government by :
b) explaining the significance of the charters of the Virginia Company of
London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence,
the Articles of Confederation, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,
and the Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of
Rights. |
American constitutional government
is founded on
concepts from the following earlier documents:
• Charters of the Virginia Company of London
Rights of Englishmen guaranteed to colonists
• The Virginia Declaration of Rights
Served as a
model
for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the
United States of America
• Declaration of Independence
Stated
grievances
against the king of Great Britain
Declared the colonies’
independence from Great Britain
Affirmed “certain
unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness)
Established the idea that all people are
equal
under the law
• Articles of Confederation
Established the
first form of national government for the independent
states
Maintained that major powers resided with individual
states
Weakness of central
government (e.g., no power to tax and enforce laws)—Led to the writing of
the Constitution of the United States of America
• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Freedom of
religious beliefs and opinions
•
Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of
Rights
Establishes the structure of the United States government
Guarantees equality
under the law with majority rule and the rights of
the minority protected
Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people
Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly,
and petition. |