Major early events

Magna Carta

1215

A charter that King John was forced to sign. The Magna Carta limited the power the king had over Britain and the citizens.

Jamestown settled

May 13, 1607

106 English men were sent by the king to the New World. They arrived in North America to establish the first permanent settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.

Mayflower compact written

Sep 16, 1620

Men and women were leaving Plymouth, England to the New World on the Mayflower. They made an agreement to have and enforce self-government in the New World.

Petition of Right

1628

Petition sent to King Charles from the British Parliament. In the petition, they wanted no taxation without the consent of Parliament, no imprisonment without cause, no quartering of soldiers on subjects, and no martial law in peacetime.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

An act passed by the British Parliament. This act creates separation of powers, limits the power of the king and queen, enhances democratic election, and supports freedom of speech

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

Benjamin Franklin's plan to establish a unified government for the thirteen colonies.

Stamp Act

1765

The British government taxed paper documents for the colonists in the new world. This was the first of many taxes created by the king for the colonists

American Revolution Begins

1765

A war caused by the growing tension between the colonies and Britain. After winning this war, the colonies gained their independence from Great Britain

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British soldiers who were surrounded by a mob shot into the crowd and immediately killed three people and two more died later due to injuries.Captain Thomas Preston and eight of his men were charged with man slaughter but were later let free from charges.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A protest held by the Sons of Liberties against the King's taxes on British imports. 342 chests of imported tea was dumped into the Boston harbor from the ships.

Intolerable Acts

1774

Also known as Coercive Acts. Were harsh laws passed by the British Parliament to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party and other protests.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

A meeting of delegates from twelves of the colonies who met a Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Second Continental Congress

1775

A meeting with all the delegates from all thirteen colonies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

A document made and signed by the colonist delegates declaring the thirteen colonies independent from Great Britain.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

The first written Constitution of the US. The articles allowed the states to remain independent and allowed Congress to make treaties and maintain a military.

Shays' rebellion

1786

An upraising of four thousand rebels led by Daniel Shays. The rebellion was against civil rights injustices.

Philadelphia Convention

1787

Also known as the Constitutional Convention. Delegates met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to try to improve the Articles of Confederation.

Connecticut Compromise

1787

Also known as the Great Compromise or the Sherman Compromise. This provided the states with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.