-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was an English document that was drafted by Archbishop Stephen Langton on June 15, 1215. The reason that the Magna Carta wa drafted was to limit the King to follow the Olde English Laws that reigned before the Normans came. King John was forced into signing the Magna Carta because it limited his power as the King, thus allowing a foundation to create a strong parliament. -
Petition Of Rights
Passed on June 7th of 1628, the Petition Of Rights is one of England's "most famous documents". A petition that is still enforced today, the Petition of Rights is a document that is constitutional. It setss out certain liberties that prohibits the King from infringing. It includes restrictions on taxation that is non-parliamentary, billeting of soldiers that is forced, unjustified inprisonment and prohibits martial law. -
English Bill Of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was drafted as protection of the population of Protestants. This was to help them against subversion by polititians or a Catholic Monarch. It was also to declare rights and liberties of the subject. Another reason this bill was created for selling the succession of the crown. It was written on December 16, 1689. Those behind the bill wanted to make sure that the country would remain politically stable and not be endangered again. -
Stamp Act
On March 22, 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. The British Parliament passed this act to require all American Colonists to pay tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Various types of paper were taxed, such as licenses, any type of legal document, ship documents and all newspapers and publications- just to name a few. Even playing cards were taxed. All monies that were made from this act helped pay for defending American troops close to the Appalachian Mountains. -
The Townshend Duties
The Townshend Duties were a series of four acts that the British Parliment passed. This was to enforce what it considered to be it's rights to hold authority over colonies. Through a recalcitrant representative rally and strict provisions for collecting revenues duties. These acts were named after Charles Townshend. He is the person who sponsered them. These acts took place from June 15 - July 1767. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occured on March 5, 1770. It was a street fight which took place between a "patriot mob" and a British soldier squad. Many colonists were killed. This ignited a campaign to rouse the anger of the citizenry by speech-writers. This massacre led to the Revolutionary War. -
The Tea Act
On May 10, 1773, the Tea Act gave a monopoly on the sales of tea. American Colonists were not allowed to purchase tea unless it was from the East India Company. This company was not doing well in tea sales. Therefore, the British wanted to increase their business. This act lowered the price of tea so much that it costed more than the tea from other suppliers. American Colonists considered this another means of another "taxation without representation". They refused to unload the tea from ships. -
1st Contintental Congress
The 1st Continental Congress was a meeting that brought together reps from every colony excluding Georgia, This took place on September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss the British "Intolerable Acts". Their relationship with Britain and how to assert their rights were discussed too. They wanted to appear as united colonies when replying to Britain. They had three objectives and succeded in completing all of them. -
2nd Continental Congress
The 2nd Continental Congress started on May 10, 1775. The 13 colonies' delagates gathered in Philadelphia to discuss the next steps. This time there were some new delagates including Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson. Memories of the Battle of Lexington and Concord lingered. Encamped outside Boston were the New England militia. They were trying to drive the British out.The Continental Army was established as a result. George Washington was elected Commander in Chief of this. -
"Common Sense" Published By Thomas Paine
On June 9, 1776, a pamphlet was published by Thomas Paine. This pamphlet was to set forth his arguments in favor of American Independence. This was first published anonymously. Independence for the American colonies from Britain was advocated. This publication called "Common Sense" is considered one of the most influential pamphlets in the history of America. Uniting average citizens and political leaders behind the idea of independence, it played a remarkable role in the American Revolution.