Constitutional Influences Timeline

By Ateya Wright
  • Period: Feb 17, 1200 to

    Constitutional Influences

  • Feb 17, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    The Magna Carta was a document created to make sure certain rights were protectd and that government rulers had limited power.
    "Big Idea"
    Limited Government In the world today: The Magna Carta was one of the first documents that secured rights for citizens! We still see this today because in the constitution there is something called the Bill of Rights which deals primarily and specifically with the rights of citizens.

  • The Mayflower Compact

    The Mayflower Compact
    The compact was created when people were coming to america on the Mayflower. The Mayflower Compact established laws as well as control.It made sure that the gover
    nment served the common good

    "Big Idea"
    Common law
    In the world today: The Mayflower Compact established laws and control. This could not be more evident in the constitution!!! The Constitution is basically a giant rule book for america.

  • The English Bill of Rights

    The English Bill of Rights
    The English Bill of Rights was created to give the government more rights, expand peoples rights, and unfortunately limit the kings power.
    "Big Ideas"
    - Limited Government
    - Rights
    In the world today: The English Bill of rights is what citizens have the right to do. This is evident today because we exercise the rights given to us first in the bill of rights everyday.

  • John Locke

    John Locke
    Locke established ideas about the basic rights that every person was entitled to at birth. " Life, Liberty, and Property.
    "Big Ideas"
    - Rights
    - Limited government
    In the world today: John named the rights every person was born with and could not be denied. This is seen everyday when someone aquires an item or piece of land! We are exorcising our right to property.

  • Cato's Letters

    Cato's Letters
    Catos letters was a discussion about freedom of expression and other rights. It spoke out against the king!
    'Big Ideas"
    - Rights
    - Limited government
    In the world today: Cato's letters discussed freedom. HOW IS THIS NOT SEEN TODAY?!?!?!? America is called the land of the free. Millions come here for freedom and opportunity.

  • Montesquieu

    Montesquieu
    Montesquieu introduced seperation of powers. This basically meant that the power of the government was split up evenly among three branches. The divide also ensured that if one branch tried to reign surpreme there would be two others to check them.
    'Big Ideas"
    - Limited Government
    In the world today: Montesquieu's belief is evident today in our three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

  • Rousseau

    Rousseau
    Much like Locke and Montesquieu, Rousseau talked about different rights/freedoms. He discussed habits of healthy effective governments in his book called "The Social Contrat" "Big ideas"
    - Limited Government
    - Self Rule
    In the world today: Our governmet follows some of Rousseau's ideas expressed in his book "The Social Contract"

  • The Common Sense

    The Common Sense
    The common sense helped explain an argument for the peoples independence. It also encouraged citizens to fight for and support independence!
    "Big Idea"
    - Self Government
    - Lomited Government
    In the world today: The common sense supports peoples independence. Immigrants as well as citizens reside in america for the right to their independence.