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Explore the rich history of how ancient laws from Hammurabi to European influences like Magna Carta and American documents like the Declaration of Independence have shaped the legal framework in the United States. Get insights on the roots and evolution of American law.
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Influences on American Law Goal 3
ANCIENT INFLUENCE • Code of Hammurabi: 1760 BC • First known system of written law • Over 250 harsh laws • Legal Code – what is legal and illegal • Ten Commandments: 1200 BC • Found in the Bible • Moral Code – statements of right and wrong
Ancient Influence • Draconian Law: 621 BC • First written law of Athens, Greece • Very harsh • Justinian Codes: 533 • Harsh Roman law • Emperor Justinian I compiled/simplified the previous Roman codes of law
European INFLUENCE • British Common Law: 1100s • Most important source of American law • Common law - based on previous court decision • Est in many English colonies • Magna Carta: 1215 • Limited powers of English king • Granted new rights and laws
European Influence • English Bill of Rights: 1689 • Further restricted the British monarchy • Holds many ideas we have in Bill of Rights • The Social Contract: 1762 • Book by Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Based on enlightenment ideas of John Locke • Believed govt can only be ideal if approved by the ppl
North American INFLUENCE • Iroquois Constitution: 1500s • Constitution of confedof 6 Native American tribes • Inspired Ben Franklin & James Madison when writing U.S. Constitution • House of Burgesses: 1619 • First rep assembly in North America • Beginning of self-govt and law-making in colonies
North American Influence • Mayflower Compact: 1620 • Set up direct democracy for Pilgrims in Plymouth • Declaration of Independence: 1776 • Holds many ideas of Rousseau & John Locke • Gives reason for colonies becoming independent • Articles of Confederation: 1777 • First attempt at govt in the US (failed) • Thrown out to give more power to fed govt