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Period: Jan 1, 1200 to
Chapter2
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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
King John was forced to sign this document by a group of barons. They were seeking protection against heavy-handed and arbitary acts by the king. It included guarantees of such fundemental rights as trial by jury and due process of law. -
Petition of Right
Charles I decided to ask parliament for more money in taxes, they refused until he signed this document. It limited the King's power in several ways. \ -
English Bill of Rights
This document prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with the consent of Parliament. It also required that all parliamentary elections be free. -
Albany Plan of Union
Created by Benjamin Franklin, and was proposed the creation of an annual congress of delegatesfrom each 13 colonies. -
Boston Massacre
This even occured in the streets of Boston, Massachusetts when British troops opened fire into a crowd.The event added fuel to the colonists desire to fight for indepedence. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists in Boston threw crates of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest British taxes. The British refused to sail the taxed tea back to England after colonists stated they did not need the tea. -
First Continental Congress
They met in September 1774 to discuss the unfair treatment of the British. They did not talk about independence but met to seek a voice in the happenings in the colonies. -
The Second Continental Congress
They met to make decisions during the American Revolution. They covered issues like war strategy, raising armies, and creating treaties. They also served as the government for the rebelling colonies -
The Declaration of Independence
this Document notified King George III that the colonies were now their own independent states. Thomas Jefferson wrote this historic document to let England know the colonies were no longer part of the British Empire. -
Articles of Confederation
Established a firm league of friendship among the states. -
Shay's Rebellion
Daniel Shays led an uprising in Massachusetts against the governor and a financial crisis in the colony. It showed that,even though the British had been defeated, several issues still remained for the new country. George Washington came out of retirement to push for a strong national government. -
Philadelphia Convention
They discussed the Articles of Confederation and its problems. Even though they didn't mean to create a new government, the United States Constitution was developed during the convention. George Washington presided over the meetings. -
Virginia Plan
Randolph presented this document, and it called for a new government with seperate branches: Legislative, Judicial, and executive. -
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan, led by William Paterson was an alternative to the Virginia Plan designed to protect the security and power of the small states by limiting each state to one vote in Congress, as under the Articles of Confederation.
