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Jun 20, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was established during the ruling of King John. It was intended to limit the powers of the king and protect privileges of the barons. -
Jamestown Settled
This was the first successful settlement of England in North America. Archiologist have found many remnants today that reveal what life was like in Jamestown. -
Mayflower Compact Written
The Mayflower Compact was the first document of the Plymouth Colony used to establish a governing system. It was signed by the Pilgrams who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower, which is why it was given this name. -
Petition of Right
Parliment required Charles to sign the Petition of Right before they would grant him any money. It limited the king's power and demanded that he no longer punish any person unless by lawful judgement. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights prohibited a standing army in peacetime, with exception to the censent of Parliament. The Bill of RIghts also guaranteed that people had a right to a fair trail and freedom from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. -
Albany Plan of Union
After recognizing the problems of colonial trade and the danger of attacks by the French and Native Americans, Ben Franklin offered this plan. It proposed the creation of an annual congreess of representatives from all of the thirteen colonies. -
Stamp Act
This act passed by Parliament required the use of taxed stamps on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and even newspapers. Later this act was repealed but all of the issues were not solved. -
Boston Massacre
Armed British troops fired into a crowd kiling five colonists. This became known as the Boston "Massacre" and was used for propoganda against the British. -
Boston Tea Pary
In protest to the British control of the tea trade, a group of men dressed as Native Americans boarded three tea ships in Boston Harbor. They broke open the tea chests and dumped them into the sea. -
Intolerable Acts
This acts placed new laws that punished colonists for caustin trouble in Boston. One of which included closing the Boston Harbor. -
First Congressional Congress
This group of colonists discussed the worsening situation of the government that was in place. They sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III that protested Britain's colonial policies. -
American Revolution Begins
The thirteen colonies joined together to gain independence of the British Empire. Numerous treaties and laws were created that transformed the 18th century. -
Second Continental Congress
The nation's first national government was formed. It served as governement for the United States for five yeras. It raised armies, fought a war, borrowed funds, bought supplies, and had a money system of its own. -
Declaration of Independence
The unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America. It included a Preamble, Declaration of Natural RIghts, List of Brievances, and a Resolution of Independence. -
Articles of Confederation
They established a firm league of friendship among the thirteen states. The Articles aided the struggling states to achieve independence. -
Shay's Rebellion
This included a series of events that took place in Massachusetts. Daniel Shay led an armed uprising that forced several state judges to close courts. -
Constitutional Convention
This was a gathering where smaller states opposed many provisions of the VIrginia Plan. Over a span of months this convention worked out a series of compromises. -
Philadelphia Convention
The convention took place while the Continental Congress was convinced to call a convention of delegates in Philidelphia. It was called to devise further provisions of the government. -
Connecticut Compromise
This compromise declared that Congress should be made of two houses. The states would be represented equally in the Senate and by population in the House.
