Historical Documents Activity

Create a Timeline using the following: Include a picture, brief description and the date of the document.

Magna Carta Virginia House of Burgess Mayflower Compact Fundamental Orders of Connecticut English Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Northwest Ordinance U.S. Constitution Federalist Papers U.S. Bill of Rights

Historical Documents Flip Books

Create a Flip Book with one flip per document.

Front side = Name of Document & Year (RED)

Inside 1 (back of front) = Picture/Symbol of Document

Inside 2 = Definition of Document (BLUE)

Materials needed: Pen/Pencil, Construction Paper, Scissors

Magna Carta - 1215

First document of English rights, trial by jury, could not be deprived of life, liberty, and property, signed by King John. Also limited the power of the King (monarchy).

Virginia House of Burgesses - 1619

First representative government in colonial America (English Colonies).

Mayflower Compact - 1620

Document written by founders of Plymouth Colony that provided the basis (a social contract) for law and first form of self-government in the new colony

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut1639

Document written that expanded representative government and individual rights. Also established a plan for people to elect their officials.

English Bill of Rights - 1689

Passed by Parliament – English rights reinforced, no taxation, right to petition, individual rights (took the idea of trial by jury from the Magna Carta)

Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776

Document written by Thomas Jefferson, American colonies declare independence from England, list of grievances against King George III

Articles of Confederation1781 to 1788

First government of United States, states had more power than weak national government – no standing army, no power to tax, no courts, no executive branch. Eventually replaced by the Constitution.

Northwest Ordinance - 1787

Law passed to bring American territories into the United States as states on equal basis with original 13 states

Constitution - 1787

A document written that defines the government, restrains the powers of the government, and guarantees certain rights to the people

Federalist Papers1787 - 1788

A series of essays written that explained reasons why people should adopt the new US constitution, authors: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Bill of Rights – Ratified in 1789

Created to ensure the rights of the people and to address the grievances listed against the king of England