Major Events for Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

King John affixed to seal the Magna Carta in a Field at Runnymede. It was supposed to fix a problem, but it never did.

Jamestown Settled

Dec 19, 1607

It was the first successful English settlement in the mainland of America.

Mayflower Compact written

Nov 11, 1620

the first written framework of government that established what is now the United States. It was written on the boat by the pilgrams.

Petition of Right

Sep 19, 1628

An important document setting out the rights and liberties of the subject as opposed to the prerogratives of the crown. This petition favorited the common man was championed by Sir Edward Coke.

English Bill of Rights

Aug 19, 1689

An act declaring the rights and liberties of the subject and setting the succession of the crown.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

It was a plan to place British North American colonies under a more centralized government. It was adopted on July 10, 1754. It was never carried out, but it was the first important plan to try and conceive of the colonies together under one government.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay taxes on every piece of paper they used.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

It was the killing of five colonists by british regulars. Royal troops came in and tried to enforce the heavy tax burden.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A group of Massachusetts patriots protested the monoply on American tea. The threw 342 things of tea into the harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

The government spent money on troops and equiptment in an attempt to subjugate Massachusetts.British merchants lost a lot of money.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The first met in Carpenter's Hall. It was also the seat of the Pennsylvania congress.

American Revolution begins

Apr 5, 1775

ended two centuries of British rule for most of the North American colonies.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Rough draft of the declaration of independence written by Thoms Jefferson.

Declaraion of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Foundation of the rights that are guranteed to American citizens. Thomas Jefferson wrote it.

Articles of Confederation

Sep 18, 1777

The first constitiution of the United States. It was in force from March 1, 1781 until 1789.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1785

armed insurrection by farmers in W Massachusetts against the state government.

Philidelphia Convention

Sep 17, 1787

It was a convention to address the problems in governing the United States.

Constitution Convection

Sep 17, 1787

It was a convention to address the problems in governing the United States.

Connecticut Compromise

Sep 19, 1787

Resolved issues of represention in Congress.