Foundations of American Government Key Terms Timeline

By dfenney
  • John Trumbull Sr.

    Supplied Washington's army in the Revolutionary War with ammunition and food.
  • John Peter Muhlenburg

    A part of the Black Regiment, and recruited volunteers for the Revolutionary War
  • Signers of the Declaration of Independence

    John Hancock- A successful merchant from Boston, and the president of the Second Continental Congress, and the first and third governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Benjamin Rush- Civic leader in Philadelphia, Physician, Politician and Educator. Charles Carroll- Delegate of the Continental Congress and a wealthy planter from Maryland. John Witherspoon- A Presbytarian minister and a political activist for America's independence from Britain.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, This document was the inciting factor for the Revolutionary War. The Declaration was signed by the members of the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776
  • "E Pluribus Unum"

    The motto was adopted by the continental congress in 1782 as the motto unofficial motto of the United States
  • U.S. Constitution

    The United States Constitution was written in 1787, and was ratified on June 21, 1788. This was the governing document for the newly assembled country, and established boundaries for the government to hinder it from becoming an unjust or tyrannic system where a single party or person has more power than the rest of the populous.
  • John Jay

    John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the second Governor of New York. He was also the President of the Continental Congress.
  • Alexander Hamilton

    Alexander Hamilton was the 1st U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and was in office from September 11, 1789 to January 31, 1795. He was also the Senior Officer of the Army from December 14, 1799 to June 15, 1800.
  • Bill of Rights

    The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution which put in place the basic human rights granted to a citizen of the United States, which may not be taken away by the government. The Bill of Rights was amended on September 25th, 1789 and was ratified on December 15th, 1791
  • Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain is the power of the state or federal government to take private property for public use with just compensation. It was limited in an amendment to the Constitution in 1791
  • James Madison

    James Madison was the 4th president of the United States and served two terms in office from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817. Madison was also the 5th Secretary of State prior to his presidency from May 2, 1801 to March 3, 1809.
  • Alex de Tocqueville & his 5 Principles

    Alex de Tocqueville was a historian and political philosopher in the 19th century. He came to the united states to study U.S. democracy and compare it in literature to the French structure of government and society. He published his book called "Democracy in America" in 1835.