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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
Challenged the monarch's authority and forced the king to proclaim certain liberties. -
Jamestown Settled
America's first permanent English colony. -
Mayflower Compact Written
First governing document of Plymouth Colony, written by the colonists. -
Petition of Right
English constitutional document that states liberties that the king is prohibited from infringing. -
English Bill of Rights
Restatement of the Declaration of Right that limits the powers of sovereign, sets out the rights of Parliament and rules of freedom of speech in Parliament, requirement for elections in Parliament, and the right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin's plan of forming a union of the colonies during the French and Indian War. -
Stamp Act
Direct tax on the North American colonies imposed by the Britsh Parliament, required printing to be on stamped paper produced in London having an embossed revenue stamp. -
Boston Massacre
While protecting crown-appointed colonial officials, British redcoats fired into the crown without order and killed five civilians. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists in Boston took a direct action against the British government by dumping 3 shiploads of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
British Parliament passed this series of laws that limited the North American colonies. -
Firt Continental Congress
Called in response to the passing of the Coercive Acts, delegates of twelve of the thirteen colonies met at this convention. -
American Revolution Begins
War between the Kingdom of Great Britian and the thirteen British colonies in North America. -
Second Continental Congress
Delegates of the thirteen colonies met to manage colonial war effort and move towards independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from the British Empire. -
Articles of Confederation
Agreement amoung the thirteen colonies that served as America's first constitution and established the United States of America as a nation. -
Shay's Rebellion
Armed uprising started over financial difficulty in central and western Massachusettes. -
Constitution Convection
Delegates of the thirteen colonies met to address problems concerning government of the United States of America. -
Connecticut Compromise
Agreement between large and small states that defined the part of the legislative structure and the representation each state would have under the U.S. Constitution. -
Philadelphia Convention
Delegates of the thirteen colonies formed a new plan of government, which was drafted as the U.S. Constitution.
