Magna Carta (1215)
Signed by the King of England, the Magna Carta
was the first document to limit the power of
England’s monarchy. It established the principle
that rulers are not above the law, a major step
toward limited government where people
determine the power of government.
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1. What was the Magna Carta?
2. Why was it so important?
3. What is an example of how it influences our government today?
4. What problems could arise from the creation of the Magna Carta?
5. Do you think the Magna Carta is a good or a bad thing? Why?
6. How would you have handled the Magna Carta if you were the King of
England?
7. What would have been your reaction to the Magna Carta if you were a
citizen at the time?
8. What would the world have been like if this had never been created?
The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619)
The first example of representative government in
America where leaders were elected to make laws.
The House of Burgesses was the first bicameral
legislature, which meant there were two parts.
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1. What was the Virginia House of Burgesses?
2. What is a representative government?
3. What is a bicameral legislature?
4. Where do we see the impact of the Virginia House of Burgesses on our
government structure today?
5. What problems could arise from the use of the Virginia House of Burgesses?
6. Do you think the Virginia House of Burgesses is a good or a bad thing? Why?
7. Suggest a different way to run the government instead of creating the
Virginia House of Burgesses.
8. What changes to the Virginia House of Burgesses would you recommend?
Mayflower Compact (1620)
First agreement for self-government signed by the
Pilgrims who arrived in Massachusetts. The
compact stated that the Pilgrims would make “just
and equal laws” for their new society. The
Mayflower Compact was an example of a social
contract, which is an agreement between people
and the government
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1. What was the Mayflower Compact?
2. What is a social contract?
3. What is self-government?
4. How did this document influence the type of government we have today?
5. What problems could arise from the creation of the Mayflower Compact?
6. Do you think the Mayflower Compact is a good or a bad thing? Why?
7. How would you have handled the Mayflower Compact if you were a member of the
Pilgrims?
8. What changes to the Mayflower Compact would you recommend?
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)
The first written constitution in America that
established a pattern of securing guaranteed
rights. To colonists, this felt like a guarantee that
their rights were secure.
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1. What is the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?
2. Why was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
important?
3. How did this document influence our government today?
4. What problems could arise from the creation of the
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?
5. Do you think the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is a
good or a bad thing? Why?
6. Imagine the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were
never created. How would this have affected the founding
of the colonies?
7. What consequences would you have included if someone’s
rights became violated?
8. What right would you have included in the Fundamental
Orders of Connecticut?
Maryland Toleration Act (1649)
This act was the first law that guaranteed religious
freedom in the colonies. It was originally meant to
grant religious tolerance to Christians since
Christians at this time were not welcome in the
New England colonies so they moved to the Middle
colonies, which were known for religious
acceptance.
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What was the Maryland Toleration Act?
What does religious tolerance mean?
How did this act inspire parts of our government today?
What problems could arise from the creation of the
Maryland Toleration Act?
Do you think the Maryland Toleration Act is a good or a
bad thing? Why?
Imagine the Maryland Toleration Act was never created.
How would this have affected the founding of the colonies?
What changes to the Maryland Toleration Act would you
recommend?
Why is religious freedom important in society?
Zenger Case (1734)
Peter Zenger was jailed for publishing bad things
about the NY governor, but when it was found to
be factual, he was released. The Zenger case set a
precedent that led to the establishment of freedom
of the press and freedom of speech.
Choose 1 question to answer and write it on the
back of this sheet:
1. What did Peter Zenger do that got him put in jail?
2. How does the outcome of the Zenger case impact parts of our government
today?
3. Under what type of government would Zenger have most likely not been
released from jail? Why?
4. What problems could arise from the Zenger Trial?
5. Do you think the Zenger Trial decision is a good or a bad thing? Why?
6. Imagine the Zenger Trial never happened and he had stayed in jail. How
would this have affected the founding of the colonies?
7. Which freedom do you feel is the most important in today’s society:
freedom of speech or freedom of press? Why?
8. Does the Zenger Trial decision support the government or the citizens of
the colonies more? Why?