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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute.
Included guarantees of such fundamental rights as trial by jury nd due process of law -
Jamestown settled
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement. -
Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact was written. It was the first governing document of Plymouth colony. -
Petition of Right
Signed by King Charles I of England.
The Petition of Right challenged the idea of the Divine Right of Kings and declared that even the monarch was subject to the laws of the land. -
English Bill of Rights
This document was designed to prevent abuse by monarchs.
Also included such guarantees as the right to a fair trial, as well as freedom from excessive bail and from cruel and unusual punishment. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, that aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade, military, and other purposes.
The plan was turned down by the colonies and the Crown. -
Stamp Act
This law required the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, on certain business agreements, and on newspapers.
Taxes were denounced because they amounted to "taxation without representation." -
Boston Tea Party
A group of men, disguised as Native Americans, boarded three tea ships in Boston Harbor.
They broke open the chests and dumped the ships cargo in to the sea to protest British control of the tea trade. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a series of laws passed by British Parliament. These sparked outrage in the 13 colonies. They taxed various items. -
First Continental Congress
Parliament passed another set of laws, this time to punishment the colonists for the troubles in Boston and elsewhere.
These new laws, denounced in America as the Intolerable Acts, prompted widespread calls for a meeting of the colonies. -
American Revolution Begins
The 13 colonies gained independence from the British empire when the battles of Lexington and Concord sparked the American Revolution.
The "shot heard 'round thw world" had been fired. -
Second Continential Congress
The Second Continental Congress established a continental army and Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The leader of the 13 colonies formed an independent country.
At its heart, the Declaration proclaims that all men are created equal. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was a plan that established a firm league of friendship among states. Each State kept "its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and capital power, capital jurisdiction, and right...not...expressly delegated to the USA, in Congress assembled." -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was an armed uprising by Shay. Poor farmers were angered at crushing taxes.
In response to the violence, the Massachusetts legislature eventually passed laws to ease the burden of debtors. -
Connecticut Compromise
The larger states in the new colonies felt they should have the most power.
In the Connecticut compromise it was agreed that comgress should be composed of two houses.
In the smaller Senate, the States would be represented equally.
In the House, the representation of each state would be based upon its population. -
Philadelphia Convention
This addressed problems in governing the United States of America. It is also referred to as the Federal Convention.
