Question

1. how has english common law impacted the united states legal system?
2. american constitutional government is founded on concepts expressed in earlier documents. in the space provided state the author and main contributions of each founding document. (pages 30 - 38)

→ magna carta
◆ main impact(s) -
◆ author(s) -
→ charters of virginia company of london
◆ main impact(s) -
◆ author(s) -
→ virginia declaration of rights
◆ main impact(s) -
◆ author(s) -
→ virginia statute of religious freedom
◆ main impact(s) -
◆ author(s) -
→ declaration of independence
◆ main impact(s) -
◆ author(s) -
→ articles of confederation
◆ main impact(s) -

Explanation:

1. English common law has had a profound impact on the United States' legal system. It has influenced legal concepts like property rights, contract law, and the adversarial court - system. Many early American colonists were familiar with English common law, and it formed the basis for much of the early legal development in the colonies and later the United States.

3.

• Magna Carta:
• Main Impact(s): Introduced the principle that the king was not above the law, and established the idea of due - process and the right to a fair trial. It also limited the power of the monarchy. These concepts influenced the American Bill of Rights and the overall structure of the US legal system.
• Author(s): Negotiated by the barons of England and King John in 1215.
• Charters of Virginia Company of London:
• Main Impact(s): Granted rights to colonists such as the right to self - government and property rights. These ideas contributed to the development of representative government in the American colonies.
• Author(s): Issued by King James I of England.
• Virginia Declaration of Rights:
• Main Impact(s): Served as a model for the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution. It guaranteed rights such as freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to a jury trial.
• Author(s): Written by George Mason in 1776.
• Virginia Statute of religious Freedom:
• Main Impact(s): Influenced the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom in the US Constitution. It separated church and state and guaranteed religious liberty.
• Author(s): Written by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1786.
• Declaration of Independence:
• Main Impact(s): Announced the colonies' separation from Britain, declared the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It inspired the creation of the United States as an independent nation and set the ideological foundation for the new country.
• Author(s): Mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from a committee including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, etc.
• Articles of Confederation:
• Main Impact(s): Served as the first constitution of the United States. It established a loose confederation of states and gave some powers to the central government, but also had limitations that led to the creation of the stronger US Constitution.
• Author(s): Drafted by the Second Continental Congress.

Answer:

1. English common law influenced property rights, contract law, and the court - system in the US.

3.

• Magna Carta: Main Impact - Influenced due - process, fair trial, and limited monarchy concepts in US law; Author - Negotiated by barons and King John in 1215.
• Charters of Virginia Company of London: Main Impact - Contributed to self - government and property rights in colonies; Author - Issued by King James I.
• Virginia Declaration of Rights: Main Impact - Model for US Bill of Rights; Author - George Mason.
• Virginia Statute of religious Freedom: Main Impact - Influenced First Amendment religious freedom; Author - Thomas Jefferson.
• Declaration of Independence: Main Impact - Announced colonies' separation, set ideological foundation; Author - Thomas Jefferson (with committee contributions).
• Articles of Confederation: Main Impact - First US constitution, led to stronger constitution; Author - Second Continental Congress.