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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta set aside certain liberties the monarchy could not infringe on. It was the first document to limit the power of the king. -
Jamestown, Virginia
James town was the first permanent settlement in the now United States. Settled by a group called the London Company, later changed to the Virginia Company. -
Mayflower Compact
It was the first governing document of Plymouth colony. It was written by pilgrams on the Mayflower. -
Petition of Right
A major English constitutional document that set out liberties the king was not allowed to infringe upon. Confirmed that taxes were only to be set up by parliment, martial law could not be in place in peace time, and the writ of habeus corpus. -
English Bill of Rights
It set limits on the power of sovereign. It also set out rights of Parliament and freedom of speech in Parliament, the right to regular elections to Parliament, and the right to petition the monarch. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan was proposed by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress. Attempted to unite the colonies during French and Indian war. -
Stamp Act
This act required many printed materials to be printed on taxed, stamped paper produced in London. The tax had to be paid for in British currency and helped fund the stationing of British troops in North American colonies. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an incident in which five civilians were killed by British red coats. Gunfire sparked by mob of colonist yelling verbal insults. -
Boston Tea Party
Direct action by Boston colonist, which included throwing three shiploads of tea into the Boston Harbor. It served as a protest to the British Government and East India Trading Company. -
First Continental Congress
A convention of twelve of the thirteen colonies. Formed in response to the Coercive Acts. -
Intolerable Acts
Name given to a series of laws passed by the British Government in 1774. Noted as key motives behind the beginning of the Revolutionary war. -
Second Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from the thirteen North American colonies. The Second Continental Congress managed the war effort and drafted the Declaration of Independance. -
American Revolution (beginning)
Upheval by the thirteen North Amercian colonies against the British government. It was sparked by unequal treatment by the British Government. Led to independance for the United States of America. -
Declaration of Independance
Announced that the thirteen colonies would consider themselves a seperate state. It justified the colonies independance by stating grivances against King George III. -
Articles of Confederation
First constitution of the United States of America. Gave the Continental Congress legitamacy in directing the revolutionary war, conducting diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territory issues. -
Shay's Rebellion
An armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts over financial dificulties with farmers. Ultimatly produced fears that the democratic impulse had gotten out of hand. -
Philidelphia Convention
Formed to address problems in the current government set up by Articles of Confederation. Eventually led to the drafting of the United States Constitution. -
Constitutional Convention
Formed to address problems in the United States government. Drafted the United States constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
A compromise in representation in congress between large colonies and small colonies. Created two houses, the Senate and the House, one made up of two reps from each state and one made up of a population proportional number of reps from each state.
