Historical Documents that Influenced American Government
Charters of the Virginia Company of London (1606)
- Guaranteed the rights of _______________________
to the colonists
Declaration of Independence (1776)
- Stated _____________________________ (complaints)
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal. , that
they are endowed by their Creator
against the King of _______________ ______________
with certain unalienable rights, that
- Declared the ____________________ independence
among these are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.
from _________________ ____________________
- Affirmed “certain ______________________________
rights” (rights that cannot be taken away) which
are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)
- Served as a model for the _______________
________ ___________________ of the
Constitution of the United States of America
The Articles of Confederation (1777)
- Established the structure of the first form of
national _____________________ for the
_______________________ states
- Maintained that the major ______________________
resided with (were the responsibilities of) the
individual _______________________
- Created weak ____________________ government
o No power to ________ or _______________ laws
- Weaknesses led to the writing of the Constitution
of the United States of America
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786)
- Provides for freedom of ___________________
____________________ and _________________
The United States Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791)
- Establishes the structure of the ____________________________________
- Guarantees __________________________ under the law with _____________ ______________ (most votes
wins) and the rights of the ___________________ (a group differing from the majority) protected
- Affirms individual worth and dignity of _____________________ people
- Protects the fundamental _______________________ of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.