Origins of the US Constitution

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Origins of the US Constitution 1787 (ratified 1791)

Constitutional Convention 1787

Connecticut Compromise Plan July 1787

2 houses

House of Repr.

Senate

ONE Repr. per state

Proportional Gov't

Roger Sherman

New Jersey Plan June 1787

ONE house = ONE repr. from EACH state

William Patterson

Based on population

Each state to have 1 vote in Congress

Virginia Plan May 1787

3 Branches

Proposed strong central gov't

James Madison

Declaration of Independence 1776

People have right to replace bad gov't

Gov't gets power from people

Unalienable Rights

Petition of Rights 1628

Rights of commoners to have a voice in gov't

Mayflower Compact 1626

Gov't organized for good of people

Contract to self gov't

English Bill of Rights 1689

Right to trial

Right to petition gov't

No excess bails

Freedom of speech & debate

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1636

Framework for their government needed to be written and approved by representatives of the people

Powers & Limits of gov't

First written Constitution in Colonies that outlined how gov't worked

Great Law of Peace 12th Cent. HAUDENOSAUNEE

Benjamin Franklin + Albany Congress 1754

Women's Counsel = to Supreme Court

Separation of Powers

2 houses & Grand Counsel

Included: Freedom of speech, religion,

Oldest, highly evolved participatory democracy

Developed by Iroquois Nation

Virginia House of Burgesses 1619

Elected from each county in Virginia with each county sending two representatives

First elected representative assembly in America

Second Treatise of Civil Gov't John Locke 1689

If gov't fails to protect citizens, they have a right to overthrow gov't

Life, Liberty & Property

Protect natural rights of people

Ruler gains authority through consent of governed

Basis of legitimate gov't

Magna Carta 1215

Govt' must have peoples approval to levy taxes

Right to fair & speedy trial by peers

No cruel & unusual punishment