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Jun 15, 1225
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was drafted by Arrchbishop Stephen Langton and the barons of England, The purpose was to make the King govern by the Old English laws. For example, the church was to be free from the interference of royalty. Along with that, no taxes between feudal dues. Most importantly, the people had rights to be led to trial by a jury. Basically giving the people their rights/justice. -
Petition of Rights Drafted
Parliament had refused to approve more taxes until King Charles signed the petition. Basically, prohibited the monarch from arresting people unlawfully. Soldiers cannot be put in private houses. The petitions were meant to be a safeguard. However, in the end King Charles 1 violated the petition. -
English Bill of Rights
The english bill of rights leaded on to the American BIll of Rights. The bill is to be passed by pariliament. It was designed to control kings power. It allowed people to have rights/justice with their own land. Also no free-man was to be imprisoned without legal verdict. The election of parliament was to be free. Lastly, people in jail ought to have jurors. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was to act on stamp and other duties in British colonies and planataions in America. The apparent purpose was to raise money for the colonies to keep British troops there. However, the Stamp Act created more problems. The generosity of Parliament angered colonists they felt they were trying to make an impression on British subjects. In the end, colonists had no representation in the Parliaments decision. Therefore, the Stamp Act was unconsittutional. -
Townshend Duties
This passed by Parliament objection to the Stamp Act. The duties placed upon the colonial imports of glass, paper and tea. The money collected from the goods were spent on British officials salaries in America. Hoping that those officials would be more loyal to Britain and the legislatures. Charles Townshend was hoping all this would enhance his political career. Most imortantly, this was made up to have sort of a tax relief. -
Boston Massacre
This massacre was brought of the showdown between the Britch and the Americans. A mob of angry townspeople went up to the guards house and eventually the British fired with out Captain Thomas Preston's command. The British regulars had killed 5 colonists. The massacre eventually helpd spark the colonists' desire for American Independence. -
Tea Act
Passed by Parliament which was the final spark to the revolutionary movement in Boston. The tea was to be shipped to the colonies and sold. The tea was to be boycott from Britain and first shipped to East India Company and American colonies. The colonists didn't fully agree with the tea being in monopoly. Furthermore, the tea was dumped into the harbor and caused even more tensions. Parliament responded with harsh punishments and two years later war began. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from each 13 colonies to organize the resistance of Parliament's coervieve Acts. The delegates were pushing to promote free debate. In the end, Congress set up the declaration of rights. Those rights were for British to distribute right to tax it. Along with those rights, the Congres declared the Articles of Association. Which was when colonies could no longer import goods from British Isles. After much thought, the first continental congress was disbanded on October 26, 1774. -
Second Continental Congress
Congress was brought back up after the Redcoats stormed into Boston. They soon after agreed to create the Continental Army. With that, George Washington chose to be supreme commander without pay. The Congress set up a commitee to have relations with foreign government without asking for help. Therefore, congress approved the Olive Branch peition. Which declared loyalty to the king. Towards the end, Britain cried for Independence and the summer of 1776 recieved that. -
Common Sense
Common sense was intended for Americans independence from Britain. Is one of the most influential pamphlets in American history. Paine distinguishes government and society. Government was to be an institution to protect us from our own voices. Whereas society, was when people joined together to accomplish things. Paine argues that the colonies have little to gain from remaining attached to Britain. More importantly, if the colonies stay the same problems from the past will come up again. -
Declaration of Independence
The declaration of independence stated that all truths to be self-evident and all men are created equally. Government is there to be organized powers for safety. Entitles people the decent respect to their opinions. This was made up to not repeat the King of Great Britain. The colonies are and have the right to be free and independent states. In the end, Congress gave their sacred honor.