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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today in the English speaking world. Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many constitutional documents, including the United States. -
Jamestown settled
This was the first permanent English settlement in the new world. -
Mayflower Compact written
This provided the colony of Plymouth with a simple constitution by which the freemen of Plymouth elected a governor and passed laws for the colony. -
Petition of Right
It was one of the opening salvos of the fight over who was supreme in English governance - the King, or Parliament. -
English Bill of Rights
This is similar to the United States Constitution regarding the first eight amendments. The main purpose of this nill is to grant the people basic human rights for freesom of speech, right to bear arms for defense and be granted the right to a democratic process which would limit the Monarch rule. It made it possible for cistiizens to voice their opinions without fear of strict punishment for speaking out against the hierachy. It was the first step in a long process towards democracy for England -
Albany Plan of Union
A proposal aimed at a formation of a strong union of the colonies under one single govern,ent and direction. the need was justified because of the necessity for defense against the threats and consequences posed by the French and Indian War. It was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, and was among the many plans presented by the different delegates that participated in the Albany Congress. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act was imposed so that the colonials share the burden with the English in paying for the debts of the French Indian War. The stamp act insured that all the goods coming into, and being sold in the colonies were British in origin. -
Boston Massacre
The propaganda that it was a massacre made many colonists rally together to counter the "evil" British. It was a turning point for many colonists into fighting for independence from England. -
Boston Tea Party
This gave the colonists the motivation to stand up for their rights and to ultimately risk their lives by going to war for their independence. -
Intolerable Acts
The acts included the closing of Boston harbor and the take over of all governmental activities by England. Many in the other colonies rallied around Boston, because they feared they may be the next to feel the wrath of England. This was a wake up call for the colonies. -
First Contintal Congress
The significance was the first concerted effort of American colonies to unite under a common cause towards secession from the British Crown. It accomplished the most significant historical moment of the United States by taking the first step in a secession towards an independent Republic, as well as an Independent Nation, and setting the precedent of the creation of a wholly new system of government without precedent or custom effected ever before in the Western World. -
American Revolution begins
Before the American Revolution, rights were something granted by a king and his government. After the revolution, rights were naturally possessed by every individual. -
Second Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress summoned a second Congress to assemble in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, if the king failed to respond favorably to its petition. The principal business of the Continental Congress was to direct the Revolutionary War and to preserve the union formed by the 13 colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
The declaration of independence was the document that officially declared independence from Britain. It was the first time the American colonists sent a letter of grievances to the king. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the original constitution of the United States. It was a “league of friendship” which was opposed to any type of national authority. Each state, therefore, had the power to collect its own taxes, issue currency, and provide for its own militia. The government could not govern efficiently because of a general lack of power to compel states to honor national obligations. -
Shay's Rebellion
It was a rebellion of farmers in Massachusetts led by an ex-continental soldier by the name of Shay. They were unhappy with the taxes placed on them buy the state and the fact that courts kept taking their land when they couldn't pay them. It was important because it showed the disunity of the colonies after the revolutionary war, and was the final push that lead to the end of the Articles of Confederation and the writing of our Constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
It settled the balance of power between large and small states. The Connecticut plan was a compromise. It had 2 houses. One was based on population to appease large states. That house is now the House of Representatives. The other house had equal representation. That house is now the Senate. It was made to appease small states. -
Philadelphia Convention
This is the same as the Constitutional Convention. This is what it was known as before the name was changed to the Constitutional Convention. -
Constitution Convection
The country had been governed under the 1781 Articles of Confederation since independence from Britain, but this was causing problems. The purpose of the Convention was to fix these problems, but a number of delegates wanted a new government and system altogether, rather than just tweaking the existing one. The result was the United States Constitution and its adoption as the instrument of government for the USA.
