Events Leading Up to the Constitution - Hildebrandt

By 180hildebrandtj
  • 500

    Ancient Greece

    *BC Ancient Greece developed one of the owlrd's first democratic systems. They had a direct democracy.
  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta

    This document was forced on the king by nobles. In it, the king's powers were heavily limited.

  • Mayflower Compact

    This was the first governing document by the Plymouth colony. It stated that they could make many of their own rules, as they had already broken the original charter.

  • Hobbes publishes "Leviathan"

    This book is an early work on social contract theory. He believed that by having a strong government supported by the people, a civil war could be prevented.

  • John Locke Publishes "Two Treatises of Government"

    This work is about John Locke's political philosophies. He outlines a social contract and natural rights.

  • English Bill of Rights

    This greatly limited the power of monarchs. William and Mary were only allowed to rule by signing this bill.

  • Montesquieu publishes "The Spirit of the Laws"

    This book details the separation of powers and the ending of slavery. It was originally published anonymously.

  • Rousseau publishes "The Social Contract"

    He discussed how to form better politics in a commercial economy. This inspired many revolutions, including America's.

  • Voltaire Publishes "Treatise on Tolerance"

    In this work, Voltaire asks for tolerance among people of all religions. He advocates against fanatic beliefs.

  • Beccaria publishes "On Crimes and Punishment"

    Beccaria talks about his views on crimes. He is against torture and the death penalty.

  • First Continental Congress

    The First Continental congress starts. 12 of 13 colonies would decide issues regarding Britain's treatment of the colonies.

  • Second Continental Congress

    This is congress began soon after the Revolutionary War started. They made movements toward American independence.

  • Declaration of Independence

    On this date the Declaration was approved. The United States of America had become its own country.

  • Articles of Confederation Ratified

    On this date, the AoC was put into effect. This served as a prototype for the current constitution.

  • Treaty of Paris

    This treaty marked the end of the Revolutionary War. It was ratified by both America and Britain.

  • Shay's Rebellion Begins

    This is an armed uprising that took place around August 1786 to June 1787. This was a plan to overthrow the government led by Daniel Shay.

  • Constitutional Convention

    This lasted until Semptember 17 1787. IT was a convention about the problems in governing America under the ARticles of Confederation. They worked to improve upon their government,

  • Ancient Rome

    *BC Rome developed upon Greece's democracy. They had a representative democracy.