American Government Timeline

By missyvanorder

  • Virginia House Of Burgesses

    This was first meeting of the Virginia General Assembly in Jamestown; this was the first democratically-elected legislative body in all of the British American colonies. This place became a symbol of representative government.

  • MayFlower Compact

    First written framework of government established in what is now the United States. The compact was drafted to prevent dissent amongst Puritans and non-separatist Pilgrims. They want to establish their own authority in their the new area.

  • Massachusetts Body Of Liberties

    The Body of Liberties was one of the earliest protections of individual rights in America. This was also the first legal code established by European colonists in New England. It was all put togeth by the Puritan minister Nathaniel Ward.

  • Thomas Hobbs, Leviathan

    In his book Thomas argues that civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contract. From his POV the perfect commonwealth is ruled by a sovereign power responsible for protecting the security of the commonwealth and to ensure a great common defense to ensure safety and order.

  • John Locke, Second Treatise On Government

    In this book Johns argument is that all people are equal and all have natural rights; in a state in which they live free from outside rule. In the "state of nature", natural law governs behavior, and each person has license to usethat law against someone who wrongs them by using their rights.

  • English Bill Of Rights

    This is an act that Parliament of England passed, this Bill creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen from others, enhances the democratic election and freedom of speech.

  • Baron De Montesquieu; The Spirit Of Laws

    As the time period that this was written it was considered a time of enligthenment, so people were finally getting further from the mainstream focus on religion and began thinking and discussing new ideas. So in this text he the role of government and how it should be handled. He believes that it is absolutely necessary for there to be a separation of powers. : (the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.)

  • Jean Jacques rousseau; Social Contract

    The Social Contract helped inspire political reforms or revolutions in Europe, he said that only the people, who are sovereign, have that all-powerful right. His example with land includes three conditions; that the land be uninhabited, that the owner claims only what is needed for subsistence, and that labor and cultivation. Throughout this whole book Jean shows how commited he is to keeo everything inorder and make it the best for everyone and to keep it that way.

  • Stamp Act

    The new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed

  • Battels Of Lexinton adn Concord

    Tensions had been building for many years between residents of the 13 American colonies and the British authorities. Also The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.

  • Declaration Of Indepence

    Written by Thomas Jefferson; in explaining why the colonies have overthrown their ruler and chosen to take their place as a separate nation in the world. It states that All men are created equal and there are certain unalienable rights that governments can never take away. These rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When a government fails to protect those rights,its the peoples power to do something about it.

  • U.S Constitution

    Is the supreme law of the United States of America;The U.S. Constitution is the fundamental framework of America’s system of government and tells how things should be done.Because many of James Madison’s ideas made their way into the Constitution, he is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” Overall the Constituton is a set in stone rules and requirements that we are meant to follow that will benefit us.

  • French and Indian War

    This war was the product of a struggle, between the French and English over colonial territory and wealth.This was considered the bloodiest American war in the 18th centruy.