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Sep 22, 1215
Magna Carta
A document imposed on the King of England by the feudal barons. It limited the kings power. -
Jamestown Settled
This was the first permanent American settlement. It served as the capital of the colony for 83 years. -
Mayflower Compact Wrtten
This was the first governing document of the Plymouth colony. It was written by the Saints aboard the mayflower. -
Petition of Right
English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of citizens that the King can not infringe on. Contains restrictions on non-parliamentary taxation, imprisonment without reason, billeting of soldiers, and use of martial laws. -
English Bill of Rights
It sets limits on Parliament and sets out rights and rules for freedom of speech in Parliament. It was a restatement in statutory form. -
Albany Plan of Union
Plan to place British Northern American colonies under a more centralized government. It was adopted by the representatives of 7 northern colonies. -
American Revolution Begins
This was an American political upheaval when the 13 colonies split from Britain. The war gained the United States independence. -
Stamp Act
An act that the Parliament imposed that a direct tax on the colonies for all printed materials. They must be produced on stamped paper and carry and embossed revenue stamp. -
Boston Massacre
The British Army killed 5 civilians and injured 6 others. The soldiers were surrounded and were being verbally harrassed along with objects being thrown at them. They fired into the crowd without orders. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. Dressed as indians, they destroyed a shipment of tea sent from Britain in defiance to the Tea Act. -
First Continental Congress
Convention of delegates from the first 13 colonies excluding Georgia. They met at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. -
Intolerable Acts
Series of punitive laws set by British Parliament after the Boston Tea Party. They were meant to punish the Massachusetts citizens for their defiance. -
Second Continental Congress
Convention of delegates from the first 13 colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. They began meeting just after the Revolutionary war had begun. -
Declaration of Independence
Document that regarded the 13 colonies as soveriegn states. John Adams was the leader in pushing for this independence from the British Empire. -
Articles of Confederation
A document signed by the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as it's first constitution. The Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft it. -
Shay's Rebellion
This was an armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts. It was feuled by perceived economic terrorism and growing disaffection with governments. -
Philadelphia Convention
This group met to address problems on governing the United States of America. It was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, but outset some of its components. -
Constitution Convection
This is the same as the Philadelphia Convention. It was created to address problems in the United States under the Articles of Confederation. -
Connecticut Compromise
An agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have. It is also known as Sherman's Compromise.
