United States History Student Edition

05 A New Plan of Government

The Constitution’s Sources GUIDING QUESTION From where did the Framers of the Constitution borrow their ideas about government? The journey to creating the United States began with the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. This document announced American colonists’ determination to create a nation that would be led by the people. The document called for the rights of individuals and a government that would honor those rights. In the words of the Declaration of Independence: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” As the delegates wrote the Constitution, they worked to implement the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. They also drew from a number of influences that live on in the government that they built. European Influences Although it is an American document, the Constitution has roots in other civilizations. The delegates who wrote the document studied the history of political thought in an effort to avoid the mistakes of the past. Many ideas found in the Constitution came from European political institutions and writers. The Framers who shaped the document were familiar with the parliamentary system of Britain. Many had taken part in their colonial or state assemblies. They valued the individual rights guaranteed by the British legal system. Although the Americans broke away from British rule, they respected many British traditions , or cultural beliefs and practices. Issued in 1215, the English Magna Carta declared that no one was above the law, not even the king. This is called the rule of law . This agreement placed limits on the power of the monarch in order to protect the rights of people. tradition a longstanding cultural belief or practice rule of law idea that laws are created through a transparent process and apply equally to everyone in a democracy

READING STRATEGY Analyzing Key Ideas and Details As you read, use a chart like the one shown to identify the powers of each branch of the federal government. Branch Example Executive Legislative Judicial

This illustration from the mid-1800s shows the signing of the Magna Carta. It was an agreement between the king of England and nobles who were so unhappy with his reign that they threatened to rebel.

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.3.3 • SS.8.A.3.11 • SS.8.CG.1.3 • SS.8.CG.3.1 • ELA.K12.EE.3.1 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1 • ELA.K12.EE.6.1

PHOTO: Photos.com/Getty Images. TEXT: Declaration of Independence: A Transcription of Engrossed Declaration of Independence. National Archives, Record Group 360: Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1765 - 1821; Series: Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789..

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