What laws came before the United States Constitution?
Answer:
When the original states were colonies, there were three sources of law -- the common law (judicial decisions), statutes passed by the British Parliament, and each colony had local laws.
After the colonies broke away and became states, most states passed a reception statute (a statute which adopted the common law as it existed on a certain date). So at the state level, there were state laws and the common law.
At the confederation level, no reception statute were passed but there were statutes that were passed by the Congress established under the Articles of Confederation. The most famous of these statutes is the Northwest Ordinance which dealt with the land west of the Appalachian which was part of the U.S. under the Treaty of Paris.
Virginia declaration of rights, Articles of confederation
Articles of Confederation and State Constitutions
English Common Law. The U.S. fell under Parliament's rule. The Articles of the Confederation and State Constitutions came "after" the US Constitution, not before.
Common Law. The rule of law in England. Our laws are based on Common Law with some exceptions like, we don't throw people in prison if they can't pay their bills.
the kings law.
Prior to the constitution there was British law, which is based upon common law. Common law has many similarities to the Old Testament.
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The articles of confederation but this was a very WEAK system of gov't because it confined itself to having all its power in a central gov't. this is part of the reason why the constitution was drafted because the articles of confederation was not working and power was not dispersed. aside from that The British made the laws since we were part of their colonies and under their rule before declaring independence.
so to simplify it it was :
the british rule then
after independence the articles of confederation was made
it proved ineffective from many critics and then
the Us constitution and bill of rights were made and have been in effect since then because it provides limitations of power n gov't and it is a flexible document
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