History of Law, Ashlyn Walter

English Common Law, 1066 English Common law gave the American court systems a basis; previous court case rulings and laws made by the English influenced how the American Judges would decide cases and punishments. We can see how overlapping English laws (currently) and American laws are.

Magna Carta 1215 Essentially, this document was created to end unfair, tyrannical rule of Kings and Queens within European countries. This had a significant impact on Enlightenment thinkers, and the American Revolutionists, who wished to give the people the power. The American System of Checks and Balances is homage to the Magna Carta document, in a sense.

Justinian Code, 529 Justinian created a great interpretation of the law and justice system. He wrote out a complex set of laws and punishments, each varying in certain degrees. This greatly influenced modern western laws. We can see in American law how complex it is, and how there are varying laws and punishments.

Virgina House of Burgesses, 1619 The House contained elected representatives to serve in a legislative assembly, which was what the American colonists desperately wanted for government in the New World. Relating to current American Law, the House of Representatives and Senate are a group of representatives directly elected by the American people, and these people decide on laws in America.

Mayflower Compact, 1620 This compact made by colonists showed a willingness to comply under a common goal, and to be held to certain words and constraints. This was a great influence on American law and government, how er make contracts and how those contracts are bonded by the law. It also shows how we can come together as people and govern for the benefit of the group.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 A document made covering the complex structure of the Connecticut River towns, and how they wanted their structure. It is considered the first written constitution in the New World. This obviously would have an impact on the later constructed US Constitution, which set up a government structure and told what the government could and could not do.

English Bill of Rights 1689 Similar, as we can see, to the American Bill of Rights, it's clear that there was some influence. The English BOR declared that there were certain things the King and Queen had the power to do, and that their power was limited. It also declared a separation of government powers, slightly different from the American government. In both, we see it as a document to protect the people.