Emergence of Powerful European Rulers

Reasons for European Exploration

Spread of Papal Authority 

The Travels of Marco Polo

limited self-government in their colonies

the right of colonists to select the royal governor 

the right of the press to criticize officials in power 

complete religious freedom in their colonies

Virginia House of Burgesses

Mayflower Compact

English Bill of Rights

Magna Carta

restricting colonial trade with American Indians

imposing regulations on colonial agriculture

angering colonist who believed that their civil liberties had been violated

punishing colonist for resisting the authority of Parliament

Parliament repeals the Stamp and Sugar Acts

King George III allows colonists to petition Parliament for tax relief.

Parliament passes the Intolerable Acts.

King George III appoints colonial representatives to Parliament.

Articles of Confederation

Bill of Rights

Treaty of Pairs

Declaration of Indepedence

Three branches of the national government were formed.

A federal court system was established.

A bicameral (two-house) legislature was created.

A cabinet was formed to advise the President.

First Amendment

Third Amendment

Sixth Amendment 

Eighth Amendment

To strengthen the authority of the federal government 

To improve the organization of the judiciary 

To give each state an equal amount of power 

To protect individual freedoms from the federal government

Judicial review

 Checks and balances

Popular sovereignty

Federalism