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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Magna Carta means great charter. It was a document consisting a series of laws establishing rights of major land owners and English barons. It also limited rights of the King of England and gave more rights to English citizens -
Petition of Right
Declared the right and liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. It contains restrictions on , forced billeting of soldiers, non- Parliamentary taxation imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law -
English Bill of Rights
An act passed by the Parliament of England which limited the power of monarch. It declared the rights and liberties of people and settled the succession William II and Mary II. -
Albany Plan of Union
Adopted in 1754 in a meeting called Albany Congress. The goal was to form a strong union of the colonies under a single government. It was adopted because of the threats about the French and Indian War. -
Boston Massacre
A street fight at Boston between a patriot mob and british soldiers. A young man shouted an insult to a British officer leading to the fight. Killed five men and six were wounded.The Boston Massacre eventually led to the Revolutionary war. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act of 1773 turned out violent and led to Boston Tea Party. American patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded the vessels of the East Indian Company docked in the Boston harbor and dumped all the tea that was on the three ships into the ocean. -
First Continental Congress
It was held because the colonists were upset about Intolerble Acts and taxes. The meeting was attended by 56 members which were appointed by the legislature of twelve colonies. -
The Second Continental Congress
It was a convention of delegates from thirteen colonies. First meeting on 10th May ,1775 in Philadelphia when the revolutionary war started. -
Declaration of Independence
A document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress asserting freedom to the colonies of great Britain. Declared the United States to be independent of the British. -
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States. These articles created loose confederation of sovereign states and weak central government, giving most power to state government. -
Shay's Rebellion
Took place during 1786 and 1787 in Massachusetts. Protests by American farmers against the tax collections and the enforcements of debts. -
Philadelphia Convention
Meeting held in 1787 by the delegates of 13 states. Purpose of this meeting was to address the problems federal government was having ruling the states. Many proponents like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton intended to create a new government. It resulted in drafting of current United States Constitution. -
Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan was first proposed at Constitutional Convention. It provided legislature of two houses with proportional representation in each house. It also allowed executive and judicial branches to be chosen by the legislature. -
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson at Philadelphia Convention as a response to the Virginia Plan. This plan allowed the legislature with one vote per state
