Major Early American Government Events

Magna Carta

Jun 19, 1215

Magna Carta, also known as The Great Charter, was forced upon King John. This was intended to limit King John's powers and protect the privileges of the barons.

Jamestown settled

Sep 8, 1607

Jamestown, Virginia was home of the first successful English settlement. The remnants today are scarce but archaeologists have been able to unveil the happenings of Jamestown.

Mayflower Compact written

Nov 11, 1620

This is the first governing document of Plymouth Colony and was signed by the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower giving it its name.

Petition of Right

Sep 7, 1628

Charles I was required to sign this before receiving more money in taxes from Parliament. The Petition of Right limited the king's power and demanded that he no longer imprison or punish any person but by the lawful judment of his peers or by the law.

English Bill of Rights

Sep 8, 1689

This document prohibited a standing army in peacetime, with exception to the consent of Parliament. The Bill of Rights also guaranteed the right to a fair trial and freedom from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Albany Plan of Union

Jun 1, 1754

Benjamin Franklin offered this after noticing the problems of colonial trade and the danger of attacks by the French and their Native American allies. This plan proposed the creation of an annual congress of representatives from each of the thirteen colonies.

Stamp Act

Oct 1, 1765

This was passed by Parliament and required the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and newspapers. Parliament later repealed the Stamp Act but that did not solve all of the issues.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British troops in Boston fired in a crowd. This killed five people making it known as the Boston Massacre. Resistance was organized and carried out through Committees of Correspondence.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

This event involved a group of men, disguised as Native Americans, that boarded three tea ships in Boston Harbor. These men broke open chests and dumped the ship's cargo into the sea. This was done in efforts to protest British control of the tea trade.

Intolerable Acts

May 8, 1774

These new laws were passed as punishment for the colonists causing trouble in Boston. The Intolerable Acts required widespread calls for a meeting of the colonies.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

This group discussed worsening situations within the government. They sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III protesting Britain's colonial policies.

American Revolution Begins

Sep 8, 1774

This involved the thirteen colonies joining together to escape from the British Empire. This also sparked numerous treaties and laws that transformed the 18th century.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This became the nation's first national government. It also served as the first government of the United States for five years. Second Continental Congress raised armies, fought a war, borrowed funds, bought supplies, and created a money system.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This is a unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America. It consists of a Preamble, a Declaration of Natural Rights, a List of Grievances, and a Resolution of Independence. This is simply a proclamation of independence.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

The Articles of Confederation established "a firm league of friendship" among and between the thirteen states. The Articles aided the struggling thirteen states trying to achieve their independent status.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

This was a series of events that played out in western Massachusetts. Daniel Shays led an armed uprising forcing several State judges to close their courts.

Constitution Convention

Feb 9, 1787

This gathering showed smaller states opposing many of the provisions of the Virginia Plan. This convention, over a span of months, worked out a series of compromises of plans.

Philadelphia Convention

May 14, 1787

This took place when the Continental Congress was convinced to call for a convention of delegates in Philadelphia. This meeting was called to devise further provisions of the Government.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

This agreed that Congress should be composed of two houses. The States would be represented equally in the Senate and the House of representation of each State would be based from its population.