Major Events for Early American Government

By smhart92
  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta

    The Magna Carta is seen as the founding document of English liberties and hence American liberties.

  • Mayflower Compact

    First governing document of the Plymouth Colony written by the colonists.

  • Jamestown settled

    First European settlement in America.

  • Petition of Right

    The Petition of Right had four principles: no taxes may be levied without consent of Parliament, no subject may be imprisoned without cause shown, no soldiers may be quartered upon the citizenry, martial law may not be used in time of peace. Later on this was inspiration for habeas corpus in America.

  • English Bill of Rights

    Inspired in large part the United States Bill of Rights.

  • Albany Plan of Union

    The Albany Plan of Union called for one centralized form of government. After the Revolutionary War this was an inspiration for writing the Arcticles of Confederation.

  • Stamp Act

    Parliment's first real attempt to assert governmental control over the colonies. Required every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal documents to have taxes on them.

  • Boston Massacre

    The result of growing tension between colonists and British troops sent to enforce taxes. Five colonists were killed when troops fired into a crowd protesting the heavy taxes put in place by the Townshend Acts. Helped spark the American Revolution.

  • Boston Tea Party

    This rebellion on the British was one of the events that sparked the American Revolution.

  • Intolerable Acts

    Retaliation by the British in response to the Boston Tea Party.

  • First Continental Congress

    The Congress met to consider a boycott of British trade and, publishing a list of rights and grievances to send to King George.
    Also called for another Continental Congress in case their petition was unsuccessful in stopping the enforcement of the Intolerable Acts.

  • American Revolution begins

    Helped the American Colonies become independent from Great Britain.

  • Second Continental Congress

    Adopted the Decleration of Independence. Acted as the national government of what would become the United States.

  • Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation are often referred to as the first constitution of the United States

  • Declaration of Independence

    Declared that the 13 original colonies were now independent from England.

  • Shay's Rebellion

    A series of armed uprisings by farmers in Massachusetts in response to courts forclosing on their farms.

  • Philadelphia Convention

    Made the United States Constitution.

  • Connecticut Comprimise

    Resulted in the basic shape of the Senate and the House of Representatives.