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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
This was the first document forced by the King of England's people in order to put restrictions on his power and protect their rights.The document was important because it began the process of adopting a law or constitution regarding the people. The legal system formed from this acted as a template for colonies in the new America when it came to forming their own individual legal systems. -
Jametown Settled
Jamestown was the first settlement of the Virginia Colony and was the capital of Virginia along with this. The Virginia Company of London formed an expedition, consisting of three ships of men, intended to establish a settlement in the Virginia Colony. The area chosen became known as Jameston and was important because it was the first permanent English settlement in North America. -
Mayflower Compact Written
The Mayflower Compact was written by the Seperalists who wanted to escape religious persecution conducted by King James in Great Britain. It was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. They traveled on the Mayflower along with traders, servants, and other strangers, in order to start over. -
Petition of Rights
This was a key English constitutional document when regarding liberties the individuals have that the king may not infringe on. The petition included retrictions on taxation, the use of martial law, and prohibits imprisonment without cause. This was important because it provided people with their guaranteed liberties. -
English Bill of Rights
It was an act of the Parliament of England that puts forth the limited powers of the crown. It also included the rights, rules regarding freedom of speech, and the aspect of regular elections in Parliament.
It was important because it allowed the people to be more involved with government instead of the crown taking over. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. It was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. A little over twenty representatives of many northern and colonies gathered to plan their defense regarding the French and Indian War.This was important because it helped unify what is now today the United States. It also helped the colonies defense by coming together as a whole instead of protecting themselves separately. -
American Revolution Begins
The American Revolution was a political debacle in which the 13 colonies united together in order to fight and gain freedom from Great Britain. They came together to form the Untied States of America. In their plan, they first disregarded the authority of Great Britain's Parliament. They disliked not being represented and being governed overseas. This was important because its success led to our nation's separation from Great Britain. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act , conducted by British Parliament, put a direct tax on the British colonies in America. It required for printed materials to be produced on stamped paper from London that had a revenue stamp. These printed materials were legal documents and other paper goods. It was important because it opened the eyes of Americans that they have the same rights as the English. It caused them to rebel since the tax was used to "raise money." -
Boston Massacre
It was an accident known as the Incident on King Street by the British, where British soldiers killed innocent men and injured 6 others. There was tension between the British and colonists and when one of the British individuals got hit by a colonist he fired instinctly. This was importnant becasue this riot was a turing point for many colonists to begin fighting aganist Great Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a political protest by Boston in the British colony of Massachusetts. The protest was against the taxation enforced by British government and the East India Company that controlled importing tea. Following Boston officials refusing to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, colonists boarded the ship and dumped all of the tea into the water. This was iimportant because it started a major rebellion against Great Britain and was a key aspect in making progress to separation. -
First Continental Congress
It was a convention of delegates from twelve colonies that met at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was formed following the passing of the Intolerable Acts. It was important because it was intended to help Boston and the punshiment they were facing due to the Bothon Tea Party. However, It failed and a second one was called. -
Intolerable Acts
This was a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament regarding Massachusetts after the Boston Tea party. The acts resricted Massachusetts of self-government and many given rights. This caused caos in the 13 coloniesas a reaction. This was also important because it was a key outbreak causing the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
It was a convention of delegates from the thirteen colonies that started meeting ito manage he colonial war effort. Along with this is helped move the colonies towards independence. This was important because it was a stepping stone to our freedom. It raised armies, directed strategy, and made formal treaties. Overall it acted as the National Government. -
Decaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress that announced that the 13 American colonies were considered independent states that were no longer under British rule.Instead they formed a union that would later become the nation that the nation that is known as the United States. This is important because it allowed the colonies freedom from Great Bristain and united them together, -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the origional agreement within the 13 fcolonies that concluded the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and was known as its first constitution. Ir was drafted by the Continental Congress. However, this Constitution was very weak, later causing the formation of a new Constitution. It was important because it gave our new united country a basis for government aside from previously being ruled by the British. -
Shay's Rebellion
This was an armed uprising that in central and western Massachusetts. It was named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders.
The rebellion was a result of many factors such as financial issues following post-war economic depression, a credit lack due to the absense of hard currency, and harsh government policies. It brought to the eye the weak central government and how high taxes and debt had a negative affect on people. -
Constitutional Convention
The constitutional convention was a meeting in which the Articles of Confederation was meant to be revised. However, an entire new Constitution was formed due to the many issues. This is important because it is how our Constituiton was formed and guaranteed our rights. -
Philadelphia Convention
The Constitutional Convention addressed the issues of government in the United States while perating by the Articles of Confederation. The meeting was to change the Articles of Confederation. However, an entire new Constitution ended up being formed. This was important because it strengthened our government and represented individual's rights by deveopling a new Constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise or Great Compromise was an agreement that small and large states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States Constitution. It included a bicameral system including the house and senate. In The Senate there would be equal and in the House of Representative proportional.
