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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
A group of British barons forced King John to sign this document establishing limits on the King's divine right to rule. From the Magna Carta some important U.S constitutional concepts were derived: constitutional limits on the power of the national government, trial by one's peers, no loss of life liberty or property without due process of law, and the requirement of a court order in order to hold someone in custody. -
The Mayflower Compact
This was the first colonial plan for self government. It stated the pilgrims would choose their own leaders and create their own laws. The laws would be designed to benefit all of society, it was based on the following ideals: religious faith, loyalty to the King, and mutual regard for each other as equals, and the intent to establish just laws and a democratic government. -
The British Petition of Rights
Written as a result of the abusive practices of King Charles I, the British Parliament created these rights. It contributed several ideas to our constitution: no stationing of troops in civilian homes, no military trials of civilians, and no taxes without the authourity of Parliament. -
General Fundamentals
Plymouth's written system of laws was published originally in the 1636 book of laws. The laws were a hybrid mix of British common law and religious laws from the Bible. It provided a rudimentary Bill of Rights guaranteeing trial by jury and stated that no one shall be damaged in respect to life, limb, liberty, good name or estate unless expressed by law. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
This was the first formal constitution of the colonies. It laid out a plan for government giving the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and representatives. The governor was the supreme authority of the colony, the legislature worked to make laws, and the courts enforced those laws This established a style of government that the U.S. would ultimatley create. -
The British Bill of Rights
When King James II was over thrown, Parliament passed the British Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights provides some basic aspects of the U.S. constitution. It prohibited cruel and unusual punishment, provided the right to petition the government, and established the right to bear arms. -
John Locke's Second Treatise of Government Published
In this document, Locke stated that a ruler gains authority through the consent of the governed. The duty of the government is to protect the natural rights of the people. Locke believed this included life, liberty and property. Locke's ideas greatly influence Thomas Jefferson as he drafted the Declaration of Independence. -
Publication of Spirit of the Laws
Written by Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu. He created a model where the political authority of the state is divided into legislative, executive and judicial powers. He asserted that these three powers must be separate and act independently. These are some basic ideas found in the U.S. Constitution. -
Sugar Act Passed
The English Parliament passed this first law aimed at raising taxes from the colonies for the British Crown. The tax was needed to pay for the debt incurred during the French and Indian War. The Sugar Act increased duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies. This was one of the issues leading to the colonial discontent. -
Stamp Act Enacted
Parliament's first direct tax on the American colonies. It taxed news papers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, dice and playing cards. The stamps were fixed to documents to show the tax had been paid. This was the first direct tax without representation. -
Quartering Act Enacted
The Quartering Act which required colonials to provide barracks and supplies to British Troops. This angered the colonists because it was contrary to the rights of the British under the British Petition of Rights. -
Townshend Acts Passed
To help pay the expenses from governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts between June 15 and July 2, 1767. Taxes were placed on glass, lead, paint, paper,and tea. -
Virginia's Resolutions were Passed
The Virginia House of Burgesses passed resolutions stating that only Virginia's governor and legislature could tax its citizens. The legislature was then dissolved by Virginia's royal governor. -
Tea Act Passed
This Act reduced the tax on imported British tea and gave the British Merchants an unfair advantage selling their tea in America. It was mean to prop up the East India company which was floundering financially and had a surplus of tea. The colonists did not like the meddling. -
Boston Tea Party
When the British tea ships arrived in Boston Harbor, many colonials wanted to send the tea back to England without paying taxes. The Royal governor insisted, however, on the payment of all taxes. So, a group of men disguised as indians boarded the ships and dumped all the tea into the harbor. -
Parliament Passes the Coercive Acts
As a punishment for the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed several acts to punish the colonists of Massachusetts. The first act, the Boston Port Bill, banned the loading or unloading of any ships in the Boston Harbor, effectively closing the Harbor. The Administration of Justice Act allowed royal officials to transfer all cases against them, involving riot supression and revenue collection, to England. The Massachusetts Government Act effectively eliminated Massachusetts government charter. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates from all 13 colonies, except Georgia, convened in Philidalphia for the first Continental Congress. They drew up a Declaration of Rights and Grievances and an appeal to King George III. -
Second Congressional Congress
The Second Continental Congress convenes and John Hancock is elected president of the Congress. -
Common Sense Published
Thomas Paine in his pamphlet "Common Sense" set fourth his arguments in favor of American independence. It is credited with uniting citizens and political leaders behind the idea of independence. -
Independence Declared
On July 2nd, 1776 Congress voted in favor of independence, and on the 4th of July the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Congress in Philadelphia. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
Adopted by the Continental Congress, the Articles created a loose confederation of soverign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal Governement soon became apparent and led to the replacement of the articles with the present U.S. Constitution. -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
The Articles of Confederation are ratfied, establishing the first form of American government. Congress was now called the United States in Congress Assembled. -
Peace Negotiations Commence in Paris
The British, French, and Americans meet in Paris to discuss peace. By Novermber a draft peace treaty was in place. It called for Great Britain to recognize America's independence and called for the removal of all British Troops. The British also gave up it's territory between the Mississippi River and the Allegheny Mountains, essentially doubling the size of America. -
End of American Revolutionary War
The treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Great Britain recognises the independence of the United States. -
Constitutional Convention Convenes in Philadelphia
All states, except Rhode Island, send delegates to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. George Washington is named the first President of the United States. -
Virginia Plan Proposed
This plan recommended a new form of governement which included exectutive, judiciary, and legislative branches. The legislature would be composed of two houses, with the number of representatives in each hourse to be determined by the population in each state. -
New Jersey Plan
The small states opposed the Virginia Plan, fearing domination by the more populous states. The New Jersey plan revised the Articles of Confederation, perserving the equal represntation of the states. Ultimately the convention rejected this plan. -
Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut compromise proposed representation in the lower house (the House of Representatives( would be based on population, while representation in the upper house (the Senate) would be based equally by state. With this compromise the convention completed a rough draft of the U.S. Constitution. -
Constitution Signed
The members of the constitutional convention sign the United States Constitution. The Constitution was submitted to the states for their approval. Nine states had to agree on the new Constitution for it to go into effect. -
Constituion Ratified
New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the Constitution, making its adoption official. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina had already ratified it. Virginia, New York, North Carolina, all ratified it shortly thereafter. Rhode Island was the last to ratify in May 1790.
