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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is known as "the great charter," and was forced upon King James. It stated that monarchy was not absolute, and everyone was guaranteed trial by jury and due process. -
Mayflower Compact written
The Mayflower Compact was a written agreement composed by the consensus of New Plymouth settlers. It has since been lost. -
Jamestown settled
104 English men started a settlement on the banks of the James River. this began America's first permanent English colony. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was prepared by Parliament and signed by the King of England. It challenged the idea of divine right and stated that even the monarch was subject to laws. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights forms the basis for much of American government today. It was designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs. -
Boston Tea Party
The "sons of liberty" dressed as mohawk indians and dumped 45 tons of tea into the Boston harbor. This was one of the many events leading to the American Revolution. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was proposed by Franklin and aimed to unite the colonies for trade and military. The Albany Plan of Union was turned down by colonies and crown. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament. It required many printed materials to be produced on stamped paper made in Londed, and they needed to have a embossed revenue stamp. -
Boston Massacre
British regulars killed 5 colonists. This was a result tension in American colonies since 1768. -
First Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from 12/13 British North American colonies. They met to discuss a response to the British "Intolerable Acts" -
Intolerable Acts
Intolerable Acts were laws made in response to the Boston Tea Party. It was a major factor that lead to the American Revolution -
American Revolution begins
The 13 colonies in North America joined to break free from the British Empire. This led to the congress issuing the Declaration of Independence. -
Second Continental Congress
All 13 colonies attended this meeting. It established the militia as continental army to represent the 13 states. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the
United States. It was adopted after the American Revolution, and it established a "firm league of friendship" among the states. -
Declaration of Independence
It announced that the 13 American colonies which were at war with Great Britian, now are independent states. It is referred to as the "birthday" of the United States. -
Shay's Rebellion
Farmers who were in debt rebelled against the government. This rebellion influnced Massachusetts to ratify the US constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
It is an agreement during the constitutional convention. It stated that congress should have a senate and a house of representatives. -
Philadelphia Convention
It was designed to address government problems in the United States. Even though the convention was supposed to revise the Articles of Confederation, many who attended wanted to create a new government instead. -
Constitutional Convention
It was held to address problems in the US government. It is also referred to as the Philadelphia Convention.
