-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta limited the King of England's power by law and protected the people of the land, and that no free man can be punished except through the law of the land. King John I was the king who orginially signed this document. -
Jamestown Settlement
The Jamestown Settlement was founded by Captain Christopher Newport, who had control over three ships: Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed. The ships made landfall on April 26, 1607 and was then named Jamestown after their honorable king, James I of England. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was created by Pilgrims who ran away from religious persecution under the order of King James of Great Britain. The Pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower ship. The ship then landed in Plymouth, of what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts. -
Petition of Right
An important document setting out the rights and liberties of the people of England. The document prohibited the king from infringement, which included forced billeting of soldiers and imprisonment without cause. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was a restatement of the Declaration of Right. It limited the power of the king and set the rights for Parliament, as well as freedom of speech among Parliament and it outlawed cruel and unusual punishment. The English Bill of Rights was an inspiration to the United States Bill of Rights. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal to create a unified government for the 13 original colonies. This plan was adopted during a large meeting called the Albany Congress. However, the Albany Plan was never actually used, but it attempted to establish a common authority. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act revoked a direct tax by the British Parliament. It required that many printed items must have be produced on stamped paper. The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in the U.S. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred whenever a mob circled the a British soldier group. The colonists were already upset with the soldiers, because they had been in Boston for the past couple years. Because of threats towards the British, the soliders open fired and killed 5 men in the crowd. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston against the tax policy of imported tea. This famous protest had men dress up as Indians and throw tea crates of ships. Generally, many colonists were upset and boycotted any British goods. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts was the name of punitive laws that were passed by the British Parliament. The Acts were a response to the Boston Tea Party. However, this created riots and resistance by the 13 colonies. The Intolerable Acts were a huge spark towards the American Revolution in 1775. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a convention among 12 colonies, excluding Georgia, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Congress met to consider options, including an economic boycott of British trade, rights among the colonists, and a petition towards King George III for redress. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a revolution throughout the late 1700's within the original 13 colonies seceeded from the British. They first declined the authority of Parliament in Great Britain; in return, the British sent troops to America to attempt control. However, this created the American Revolutionary War which occurred on April 19, 1775 to September 3, 1783. In the end, the United States defeated the British and America became an independent nation. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was the second convention, which included all 13 colonies, that took place in the summer of 1775 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The second Congress managed the war effort and moved towards independence. Also, it directed strategy and made treaties. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document that proved the states were independent states and no longer subjects to the British. Once this document was officialized, the nation became the United States of America. As of July 4 of every year, Independence Day is celebrated in rememberance of our freedom for the British and the birth of the U.S. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was an agreement among the 13 original states, which established the U.S. as a confederation. This document put forward a national government -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed riot that occurred in Massachusetts between 1786 to 1787. There were a couple factors that created Daniel Shays' rebellion. One factor was financial problems about post-war economic depression. Another factor was the harsh government policies to solve the state's debt issue. -
Philadelphia Convention
The Philadelphia Convention, or the Constitutional Convention, addressed problems throughout the government of the U.S. The Convention was needed to improve and revise the Articles of Confederation. This convention led up to the United States Constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise, or known as the Great Compromise of 1787, was an agreement which defined the roles of legislative structure and representation for each state. The Compromise was created during the Constitutional Convention.
