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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was written by English barons to protect their rights and property against the King John of England. However, they did not keep in mind the rights of the common man. The Magna Carta failed to resolve problem, but the colonists believed they were entitled to the same rights as the Englishmen embedding these laws into the Bill of Rights. -
Jamestown Settled
Jamestown was settled in the colony of Virginia and was established as the first permanent English settlement in America. It also served as the capitol of the colony Virginia for 83 years. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first written law of America written by the first English settlers. They named themselves independent from King James and declared themselves a government under God. -
Petition of Right
This was an English constitutional document that gave specific liberties that the king may not infringe on. It was influential in the fight for independence. -
English Bill of Rights
This was a restatement of the statuatory form of the Declaration of Right. It gave limit on the powers of the king and presented the rights of parliament. It was a strong reflection on the thoughts of political philosopher, John Locke. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was adopted by seven of the British North American colonies. It was one of the first steps taken to place all the thirteen colonies under one cenrtalized government. -
Stamp Act
This act imposed a direct tax by the British government on all printed materials produced in the colonies. The tax must be paid in British currency, not colonial paper money. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers had been placed in Boston to keep order. However, when a mob began to form British soldiers killed five Colonial civilians, injuring six more. Eight soldiers, one officer, and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. The British government had put a tax on tea so that they held a monopoly ober all the tea that was imported. Colonists believed this was a violation of "no taxation without representation." This led to the Sons of Liberty throwing three shiploads, 342 chests, of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
These were laws passed by British Parliament as punishment of the Boston Tea Party. They took away Massachusetts' right to self-government. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates of twelve colonies met in Philadelphia in response to the passing of the Intolerable Acts. They considered boycotting British trade and discussed setting up defenses for a British attack. -
American Revolution begins
British armies invade the colonies as the British navy blockades the coast. The British lost control of Boston in 1776 but gained control and held New York City. -
Second Continental Congress
They met soon after the beginning of the Revoluntionary War. The purpose was to discuss war strategies. They moved closer to independence by raising armies. -
Declaration of Independence
Created by the Continental Congress, it was the first document to declare independence of the 13 colonies from British rule. Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson along with 55 others. -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777, but it wasn't until March 1, 1781 that all thirteen colonies ratified it. It created a weak central government, putting most of the power in the hands of state government. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, but the need for a stronger government led to the creation of the United States Constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
An agreement made between the large and small states of America that determined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the Constitution. They elected to have a bicameral structure. -
Philadelphia Convention
A group of delegates met to revise the Articles of Confederation and address issues with self-governing in the United States. Many, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton,wanted to create a new document, foreshadowing the creation of the Constitution. -
Shay's Rebellion
A series of armed rebellions led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shay. They were brought on by aggressive taxation and debt collection as well as the state fiscal policy. They caused consideration for a new Constitution.
