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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Protects rights and property against tyranny. It is an Angevin charter originally issued in Latin in the year 1215 -
Petition of Right
King is prohibited from infringing on citizen's rights. The Petition contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law. -
English Bill of Rights
Act of the Parliament of England passed on 16 December 1689. It was a restatement in statutory form of the Declaration of Right presented by the Convention Parliament to William and Mary in March 1689, inviting them to become joint sovereigns of England. -
Albany Plan of Union
Each legislature would elect delegates to an American continental assembly. It was a proposal to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. -
Boston Massacre
It was an incident on March 5, 1770, in which British Army soldiers killed five civilian men and injured six others. Also called the Incident on King Street. -
Boston Tea Party
Protest against tax policy of the British and the East India Tea Company. It was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston -
First Continental Congress
Called in response to passage of the Intolerable Acts. It was a convention of delegates from twelve colonies -
Second Continental Congress
Managed war effort and adopted Declaration of Independence. Included many of the same delegates in the First Continental Congress. -
Declaration of Independence
Declared independent states no longer a part of the British Empire. It was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress -
Articles of Confederation
Established government dominated by states. It was an agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shut down courts to stop hearings for tax and debt collection. Named after Daniel Shays. -
Virginia Plan
It was a proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch. The plan was drafted by James Madison while he waited for a quorum to assemble at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 -
New Jersey Plan
It was a proposal for the structure of the United States Government presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention on June 15, 1787. The plan was created in response to the Virginia Plan, which called for two houses of Congress, both elected with apportionment according to population. -
Philadelphia Convention
Create a new government with defined representation. Also known as the Federal Convention or the Grand Convention.
