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Period: Jul 6, 1189 to
England's Common Law is Instituted
Common Law is a system of lawmaking that relies not on written laws, but rather on earlier rulings. This presedent is used all over the world. It was started in early england during their lack of a lawmaking body, and continues to present day American government. Examples of common law in America include our early court decisions that still hold power today.
Useful Site for England's Common Law -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Signed
Link for Magna CartaThe Magna Carta was signed by King John of England on this day. This charter, created by harshly treated noblemen, was instrumental in creating a new precident of rulers ensuring Rights for their people. -
Period: Jan 23, 1240 to
English Parliment
BBC article on Parliment's HistoryDuring the reign of King Henry III, groups of noblemen in England met regularly to advise the king. Gradually, they began to develope into their own legislature. After the 1688 dethroning of king James II, it was clear that power had shifted from the king, to parliment. -
House of Burgesses Established
House of Burgesses LinkThe House of Burgesses convined on this date for the first true attempt at legislature in the colonies. Although they had little power compared to the King, it marked the start of the colonists attempts to self govern. -
Mayflower Compact Written
On the journy to America, sailors abord the mayflower drew up a plan to govern themselves when they arrived in the New World. Like the House of Burgesses, it is seen as one of the first attempts to self-govern in the colonies. -
Funsamental Orders of Connecticut Adopted
Useful linkThese Orders were the first real constitution written in the American Colones. It established a government based on the Puritan lifestile, and was adopted by several colonies. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
History.Com on the Enlightenment
During the Enlightenment, people began to revise the ideas of the middle ages, and began to focus more on the individual person, as well as the relation to governments and the rights they owe to their people. -
Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution Information After the tyranical rule of king James II, british parliment overthrough the King, and placed his daughter, Mary II and her husband into the Crown. This represented a change from a government led by a king, to a government represented by officails who decided for them. -
English Bill of Rights Signed
Bill of Rights
After the end of James II's rule in Britain, Parliemt wanted to ensure thier power to keep a tyranical King from overpowering the people. The next rulers were forced to sighn a Bill that secured Parliment's power.