1. GO #1
Political Principles
Fundamental political principles define and shape American constitutional government.
• The people are the source of any and all
Consent of the governmental power.
Governed
• Government is not all-powerful and may do only
those things the people have given it the power to
Limited
Government do.
• The government and those who govern are bound
Rule of Law
by the law, as are those who are governed.
• In a democratic system of government, the people
Democracy
rule.
• In a representative system of government, the
people elect public officeholders to make laws and
Representative
Government conduct government on the people's behalf.

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 Historical Documents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 _model_ for • Freedom of _religious_
_Englishmen to colonists._ the __Bill of Rights_ of the beliefs and opinions
 Provided a government for Constitution of the United • Established a separation of
the Virginia Colony 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 _national government_ the _U.S. Government_
_independence from Great for the independent states • Guarantees _equality_
Britain • Maintained that major under the law with
• Stated _grievances_ powers resided with majority rule and the rights
against the King of Great individual _states_ of the minority protected
Britain • created a _weak central • Affirms individual worth
• Affirmed “_certain government_ (no power and dignity of all people
unalienable rights_ _” (life, to tax or enforce laws) Led • Protects the fundamental
liberty, and the pursuit of to the writing of the freedoms of religion,
happiness) Constitution of the United speech, press, assembly,
• Established the idea that all States of America and petition
people are equal under the • Written by the Continental
law Congress
• Written by Thomas
Jefferson
July 4, 1776