University of Phoenix Material

Influences on the Constitution Table

Complete each section below. Include citations for your sources.

|Documents |Summary |What was its influence on the Constitution? |
|Magna Carta |Written in 1215, the document was a series of written promises |The magna carta served as the first piece of legislature attempting to keep the |
| |that the King would rule England and deal with the people |rights for the people fair. The Americans saw it and read about it and decided it |
| |fairly according to feudal law. It was an attempt by the barons|was time America had “higher law” ideas and design a document to give the people |
| |to stop the king from becoming an oppressor more than a ruler. |rights and to protect them from oppression, such as the people during the time of |
| | |the magna carta were suffering. |
|Mayflower Compact |The mayflower compact served as the document needed to keep the|Much like the magna carta, the mayflower compact was put into place to protect |
| |Puritans and Pilgrims from ripping each other’s throats out |people from hurting each other or themselves. It had major influence on the |
| |upon the pilgrim’s arrival at Plymouth. It was the first |constitution as it gave the government hope that people can