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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was written to limit King John's power and to make him subject to law for the first time. It is also important because we still use some of their clauses today such as the right to justice and fair trial and basic human rights. -
Jamestown Settled
It all began with 100 men joining the Virginia Company and settling near the James River. Although, it began with lost of diseases, conflicts with the Indians, and almost failure, the Indians and the colonist came together because of John Smith and Pocahontas. This settlement is important because it is how our nation started. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first document to frame the government in the United States. It was written by the Puritans and Pilgrims who were in search for religious freedom. It also included a "civil body politic" policy with equality and freedom. This document is significant because it came to be the foundation for our nation today. -
Petition of Rights
The Petition of Rights was created to bring civil rights to citizens of Britain because King Charles I was infringing on their rights. The petition included points such as tax limitations, no martial law during peacetime, soldiers could not quarter homes, and the reinforcement of habeas corpus. This document is important because it finally limited the kings power and brought basic rights to England. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was created to bring quality to England. It also brought a constitutional monarchy which meant the king and queen no longer ran the land, a Prime Minister is elected. Signed by Parliament, the document included free elections, freedom of speech and limitation in taxes. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan, suggested by Ben Franklin, to unify the 13 Colonies. This is important because it was the first step to becoming the America we know today. -
Stamp Act
Passed by Parliament, the Stamp Act was created to place a tax on every piece of paper, newspaper, certificate. The money was said to be used to help defend America. It is significant because we still pay for birth certificates, marriage license, etc. because of this act. -
American Revolution begins
The American Revolutionary War began because the 13 Colonies wanted independence from the British monarchy. After the French jumped in and helped America, the British surrendered and America won their independence. This is very important because without winning the war, we may still have been under British rule today. -
Boston Massacre
A group of British soldiers killed 5 people. It became known as a massacre in order to gain support from the people for the Patriot clause. It is remembered to be the event that sparked a revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
In rebellion against the tax on tea from the British, the Boston Tea Party was born. Colonists disguised as Indians threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. This event is significant because the Intolerable Acts were a result. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a result of the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre. It was a punishment for Massachusetts colonist and to demand authority on America. It was an important factor to the American Revolution. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting with representation from 12 of the 13 colonies to discuss the Intolerable Acts and to petition the British government for redress of grievances. This is important because it was the first meeting of all 13 colonies and it gave the ideas for upcoming constitutions. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting with the delegates from all 13 colonies. This time, the Articles of Confederation was drafted. This meeting was significant because it drafted the first constitution of America. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was created because America wanted independence from Britain during the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and many other men wrote what the colonies stood for; a free nation. This is very important because it is the birth certificate of America and it is what we stand for as Americans. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of America. The articles said that states were to be independent. The document established that Congress was to be the last resort on conflicts and it gave Congress the authority to make treaties, control over coin money, and maintain armies. This is significant because it united individual states and established the government (Congress). -
Shays' Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was an uprising of protest by American farmers, and leader Daniel Shays, about tax enforcement and debt. These protest resulted in farmers losing their farms, an economic depression, and high taxes. The rebellion is significant because it gave justification for changing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. -
Philadelphia/Constitution Convention
The Constitutional Convention was held to discuss the current Articles of Confederation. The result of the convention was the U.S. Constitution. George Washington, James Madison, Ben Franklin, and a few other founding fathers. This convention is important because the U.S. Constitution is everything we, Americans, stand for. -
Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise was one of the agreements from Constitutional Convention. This compromise included that all states, large and small, would have equal representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is significant because we still follow the rules they created back then for what we know today as Congress.
