Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

This document was signed by King John. It was an attempt to restrict the kings powers. This document had the law of due process in it. The founders of America respected this concept and wrote it in the U.S. Constitution. It is still enforced today in America by the Supreme Court.

Jamestown Settled

May 25, 1607

This was the first place to be settled in "The New World", America. 104 settlers sailed froNew England to Virginia originally instructed to find gold and a water route to Orient. It was here that American government was born. With New England out of jurisdiction, the pilgrims made their own self-governing agreement, "The Mayflower Compact".

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

This document was the first written form of governmen in "The New World", America. This compact enacted just and equal law, every adult man had to sign this agreement efogoing ashore. The Mayflower compact as the first government agreement for self-government to be created and enforced in America.

Petition of Right

Jan 1, 1628

After the Magna Carta this is the biggest document in the developement in human rights. Produced by Parliment and sent to Charles I as a statement of civil liberties. The founders of America believed they were entitled to the rights in this document and used these concepts when making the U.S Constitution. Concepts that include: No taxes may be levied without consent of Parliament, no soldiers may be quartered upon citizenry and etc.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This bill limited the power of the king. It assured the englishmen had certain unalienable civil and political rights. This bill is a precursor of the constitution.

Albany Plan of Union

Sep 19, 1754

This plan was suggested by Benjamin Franklin, it was proposal to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It was an early attempt at unifying the colonies, and would later set an example for gatherings such as continental congresses

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This act was passed by British parliament, which required all American colonists to pay tax on every printed paper they used. Money collected was to be used to protect the American frontier. However, this upset the colonists. They thought it was unfair, was one of the first events that led to the American Revolution.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The Boston Massacre was basically a street fight between a patriot mob and some British soldiers. The mob was angry with the British parliament and decided to throw snowballs, sticks, and stones at the British soldiers. British soldiers turned and fired upon the citizens, 5 were killed and 6 injured. This was an important event that led to the American Revolution.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

This event was a political protest by The Sons of Liberty, in Boston Masschusetts. The group was protesting the monoply on tea and decided to throw 342 chests of tea into the Boston harbor. This was an important event that led to the American Revolution.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 31, 1774

These were laws made for the colonists as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party. These punishments were made by Kng George III. One law closed the Boston habor until the tea was cleaned up and payed for. Another restricted activities of Massachusetts legislature. This outraged the colonists even more and made them want to be independent more than ever before.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

All of the colonies, aside from Georgia, sent delegates to this meeting. Here they made a pact for nonimportation of English goods unless parliament should remove the intolerable acts. They gave the English until December 1, 1774 to do so. Th event was an important step in America unifying and working together to get their indepedence.

American Revolution Begins

Apr 19, 1775

There is no exact event that caused the outbreak of the war, it was a long time building up. The colonist had finally had enough and decided to fight back with the British. This war is what would lead to the start of a new country, The Unites States of America.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Soon after the revolution began delegates from all13 states, including Georgia this time, met again in Philadelphia. This meeting managed the war effort and slowly moved towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The purpose of this document was to announce the seperation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. The vote for independence was on the second of July, more than a year after the American Revolutionary War began.

Artcles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

This document was the first attempt at a constitution. It soon proved to be inadequate to resolve the issues in the U.S. in it's earliest years. It was enforce from March 1, 1781- March 4 1789. This document gave Congress no power to tax, to regulate domestic affairs, the U.S. was bankrupt.

Connecticut Compromise

Sep 19, 1781

This compromise blended the Virginia and New Jersey Plan, resolving the issue of representation in congress. In the two houses of congress states would represent equally in the Senate and proportionately in the House of Representatives. This compromise is still in affect today.

Shay's Rebellion

Sep 19, 1786

The Massachusetts government started seizing farms and inprisoning farmers who could not pay their depts. This action angered the colonists. They formed a rebelion against the republican governent in Boston. The government sent in armed forces, quickly crushing the movement.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

The U.S. was failing as a country. Congress decided to meet in Philadelphia to plan a new structure for government. This event is significant to the U.S. because it was like a new beginning for those who fought for their independence.

Costitutional Convention

May 25, 1787

At this convention the U.S. Constitution was drew up. The economic struggles and movements such as Shay's Rebellion urged for a stronger central government. The Constitution is still enforced today.