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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a set of laws to limit the powers of the King of Great Britain. King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta in order to prevent any abuse of power by any King or Queen. -
Period: Jan 1, 1220 to
Events Leading to American Douments
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Petition Of Rights
The Petition Of Rights is a statement of civil liberties sent by the English Parliament. This was based upon earlier statutes and charters and asserted four principles such as: No taxes may be issued without consent of Parliament; No person may be imprisoned without cause shown; No soldiers may be stationed within society; martial law may not be used in time of peace. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights, passed in a Parliamentary Act of 1689. The Act containing the Bill of Rights declared that King James II had attempted to overthrow the laws and customs of the country. This declares explicitly that specific activities are illegal, and makes clear that the king is subject to the law, and that laws are instituted by Parliament. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was designed to required Americans to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. The money collected by the Stamp Act was to be used to help pay the costs of defending and protecting the American frontier. -
Townshend Duties
They were designed to collect revenue from the colonists in America. The Boston merchants again boycotted English goods. The British troops were sent to enforce the laws and keep peace were involved in unpleasant incidents. These laws included special taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass and tea imported by colonists. -
Boston Massacre
The Massacre was the incident growing out of the anger against the British troops sent to Boston to maintain order and to enforce the Townshend Acts. This became a legendary event of the American rebellion against the British. A mob of about 60 angry townspeople descended upon the guard at the customs house. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act would launch the final spark to the revolutionary movement in Boston. The Act was intended to imposed no new taxes. The direct sale of tea would also have undercut the business of local merchants. The Townshend Duties insisted on retaining the tax on tea as a matter of principle. Thus causing americans to boycott. -
1st continental congress
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. The representatives gathered to discuss their response to the British "Intolerable Acts." The members agreed to boycott British goods and passed resolutions asserting colonial rights. -
2nd continental congress
The Second Continental Congress left Britain deep in debt. To pay off this debt, the British Parliament increased tax revenues. the purpose of both the First Continental Congress and the Second Continental Congress was to oppose both the Stamp Act and the Townshend Revenue Act. -
Common Sense by Thomas Payne
Common Sense is a document written by Thomas Paine who strongly believes that our nation should become an independent nation. He felt that Britain should be put to a stop immediately to Britain’s rule. He also felt that the colonies were already exercising their beliefs and ideas, because they exercised their freedom by making new laws -
Declaration of Independence signed
The Declaration of Independence was the document in which the people of the thirteen British North American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. They did not initially seek independence, but they had to justify their armed resistance against the British.