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Jun 10, 1215
Magna Carta is drafted
Having no choice, King John of England was forced into signing a document in which greatly reduced his powers as royalty. Intended to demonstrate that the king was unable to have absolute power, the Magna Carta decided upon 37 English laws. This document was made by the royal chancery in which consisted of the agreements made at Runnymede. -
Petition of Rights is drafted
The Petition of Rights was an important document in which was initiated by Sir Edward Coke. Within the document was four principles; stop taxes from being levied, cause needs to be required before being imprisoned, no housing soldiers with citizens, and during peace time the martial law cannot be used. Abusing the petitions standards, Charles I of the English Parliament was continuing his duties without the consent of Parliament. -
English Bills of Right is drafted
Wanting to control the power and rights of the King and Queen, the Bill of Rights was designed. Not only so, this bill limited the rights to raise money through Parliament. Starting in Britain, the Bill of Rights expanded further in the world by Parliament after the King was crowned. Before long, the English Bill of Rights set the path for the American Bill of Rights. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an event in which Parliament passed to enforce taxes by having all legal documents, licenses, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards to carry a tax stamp. The purpose was intended to raise money to pay for the maintaining of British troops in North America. By doing so, this raised people’s frustration to an ultimate high, now having to pay for more things. -
Townshed Duties
Broken down to five laws, Townshend Duties was named after the Chancellor of Exchequer Charles Townshend who drafted the proposal. The act was then passed by the Parliament of Great Britain. This act took action not to force direct taxes but to set new import taxes on British goods that colonies needed as a way to raise money in order to maintain the British troops in America. Not only so, but to pay the salaries of Royal officials who were told to work in the American colonies. -
Boston Massacre
Occurring in the streets, a fight broke out between a patriot crowd and a squad of British soldiers in which led to several deaths. Starting after the mob around fifty of the patriot citizens attacked a British sentinel, a British officer allowed for his men to fire back. The officer and his soldiers were later blamed murder, but were released after having an attorney defends them. This fight was a starting point in which eventually led to the Revolutionary War. -
Tea Act
The Stamp Act was the final spark to the movement of revolution in Boston. Passed by British Parliament, the acts purpose was intended to raise money in the American colonies and change the status of having to pay for taxes. Having to abide by rules of the Parliament, the East Indian Company had to change their shipping routes by passing through the American colonies. By doing this, the tea actually became cheaper for Americans in which they were all for. -
1st Continetial Congress
Not having just one exact date, The First Continental Congress gathered together between, September 5 to October 26, 1774. Attempting to have a higher authority over Great Britain, colonial legislatures nominated people from most colonies. Instead of having one clear idea as planned, the colonies ended up with disagreeing instructions in which caused greater tension. Within the first weeks, the colonies stayed independent; not willing to change what they were instructed to choose. -
2nd Continential Congress
Sparked by the fighting going on at Lexington and Concord, a meeting was held as a way to choose the delegates for the Second Continental Congress. Within the meeting, the men were announcing what they wanted to do; some wanted independence as others wanted nothing to do with war. Deciding to give peace, a document was made in which was called “The Branch Petition”. -
Common Sehnse was Published
The Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in which argued for American Independence. Within the writing, he challenged the authority of the British government and royal monarchy by writing to the common people. This pamphlet eventually led to Paine becoming famous as he was the first to openly ask for freedom aloud. -
Declaration of Independence signed
Putting their lives on the line, the men who signed the document were declaring to the work that the United States was no longer belonging to the British Colonies; not only that, but explaining why independence was declared. Signing the document gave it authority in which notified they were tryingto protect people’s rights.