July 30, 1619

November 11, 1620

December 16, 1689

March 22, 1765

September 5, 1774

May 10, 1775

Ratified March 1, 1781

July 4, 1776

August 1786 - June 1787

This document was the first written constitution of the United States. This compact called for a national legislature (Congress) which was given the authority to declare war and make treaties and trade agreements. A majority of power remained with state governments (i.e. power to tax and enforce laws).  A struggling economy due to Congress’ lack of power to impose taxes on English goods, led to the need for a stronger national government.

January 10, 1776

This document laid the foundation for the idea that even the king was subject to the law, which later influenced the development of constitutional limitations on government power, specifically the idea of checks and balances.

As the United States struggled to pay for its Revolutionary war debts, state legislatures turned to the colonists to pay the debts by raising taxes on land. This led to a conflict in Massachusetts where farmers fought the state militia. This event made many Americans call for a stronger national government to keep order and solve the economic problems that led to this conflict.

“Everyone, even government leaders, must obey the law.” This document protected English citizens from tyranny. Also, this document encouraged a form of government that would protect the rights and liberties of all citizens.

Thomas Paine's pamphlet argued for American independence from British rule. It was widely read throughout the colonies and had a significant impact in convincing many colonists of the need for independence and a new form of government.

This document imposed a tax directly on colonists. Colonists argued that their representative legislatures could levy such a tax and not the English Parliament. The issue of taxation without representation gave rise to the Revolutionary War and American independence.