Roots of American Democracy

By adelyn

  • Virginia House of Burgess

    The colonies elected assemblies that held " the power of the purse" to approve new taxes or spending. This would help them have more control over the government. This affirmed the principle that the colonist would play an increasingly important role in colonial government.
    Manuscripts:
    The Library of Congress. "The Virginia House of Burgess Manuscript." Local Government. N.p., n.d.
    Web. 6 Feb. 2011.

  • The Mayflower Compact

    They agreed to live in a "Civil Body Politik," to obey "just equal laws" enacted by representatives of thier choosing for the general good of the colony. This was the first written framework for self-government in the American colonies.
    Primary Source
    Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick....
    Yale law school. "The Mayflower Compact." The Avalon Project. Lillian Goldman Law Library,
  • Period: to

    The French and Indian War

    The war was fought against France and its Indian allies on North Americna soil. They gained control over Canada, the Ohio Valley, and areas formally claimed by France.
    Treaty of Paris
    Yale Law School. "Treaty of Paris 1763." Lillian Goldman Law Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.

  • The Stamp Act

    This Act said that the Americans had to buy stamps to place on their deeds, mortgages, liquor, licenses, playing cards, almanacs, and newspapers. The Act had many rules and qualifications.
    Yale Law School. "Great Britain : Parliament - The Stamp Act, March 22, 1765." Lillian Goldman Law
    Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2011

  • Boston Massacre

    It was a street fight that broke out between a "patriot" group and a group of British soldiers because of heavy taxes due to the Townshed Acts. Five peolpe died.
    Primary Source: The picture is a statue of a woman holding a broken chain and a broken british crown. There is a bronze plaque at the bottom showing the men that died and the British soldiers in front of the Massachusets State House. Photograph. The Library of Congress. 1904. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

  • Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia Convention

    He became the first governor of the commonwealth of Virginia under the new constitution and he served five terms as governor in Virginia. During that time he gave his famous speech with the well known line "Give me liberty or give me death!" Yale Law School. "Patrick Henry-Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death." The Avalon Project. Lillian Goldmen Law Library, n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2011.

  • Battles at Lexington and Concord

    The militia groups from Massachusetts clashed with British soldiers to mark the beginning of the American Revolution.
    Primary Source: In this picture Stephen Hopkins is saying that the regular troops have left Boston and are moving toward Concord. They have killed many people in Lexington.

    Photograph. The Library of Congress. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html.

  • Declaration of Independence

    This was a contract for the government to follow that declared America's freedom. It showed that every man is equal, "all men are created equal...they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."
    Yale Law School. "Declaration of Independnce, July 4, 1776." Lillian Goldman Law Library. N.p., n.d.
    Web. 6 Feb. 20