1. GO #1
Political Principles
Fundamental political principles define and shape American constitutional government.
Consent of the
Governed
Limited
Government
Rule of Law
Democracy
Representative
Government

2. Historical Documents
American Constitutional government is founded on concepts articulated in earlier
documents including, Charters of the Virginia Company of London, The Virginia
Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation,
and the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom
Charters of the Virginia Virginia Declaration of Virginia Statute for
Company of London Rights Religious Freedom
 Guaranteed rights of • Served as a _______ for • Freedom of ___________
______________________ the __________________ beliefs and opinions
 Provided a government for of the Constitution of the • Established a separation of
the Virginia Colony United States of America church and state
 English joint stock • Written by George Mason • Written by Thomas
company established by • Drafted in 1776 to Jefferson
royal charter by James I proclaim the inherent
of England on April 10, rights of men, including
1606 with the purpose the right to rebel against
of establishing colonial "inadequate"
settlements in North government
America • Basis for the Virginia
 The London Company was Constitution
responsible for settling
Jamestown
Declaration of Articles of Confederation U.S. Constitution
Independence • Established the first form • Establish the structure of
• Declared the colonies’ of ___________________ the __________________
___________________ for the independent states • Guarantees ____________
from Great Britain • Maintained that major under the law with
• Stated ___________ powers resided with majority rule and the rights
against the King of Great individual ______________ of the minority protected
Britain • created a ______________ • Affirms individual worth
• Affirmed “_____________ _________________ (no and dignity of all people
____________________” power to tax or enforce • Protects the fundamental
(life, liberty, and the laws) Led to the writing of freedoms of religion,
pursuit of happiness) the Constitution of the speech, press, assembly,
• Established the idea that all United States of America and petition
people are equal under the • Written by the Continental
law Congress
• Written by Thomas
Jefferson
July 4, 1776