Major Events for Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta is a very important document in history which King John ironically and likely reluctantly agreed to. This Charter made everyone, even the king, subject to the law and gave many individual rights.

Jamestown settled

May 14, 1607

Jamestown was the first successful English settlement in North America. Jamestown is located in Virginia and named after the English King at the time.

The Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

This was the first agreement for self-government to be created and enforced in America. This was signed by 41 English colonists on the Mayflower.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

King Charles' I overreach of authority caused Parliament to pass this. The Petition of Right put restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law.

The English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This bill created separation of powers, limited the powers of the king and queen, enhanced the democratic election, and bolstered freedom of speech. Many of these ideas are in our Bill of Rights today.

The Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

This plan was supported and introduced by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress. The plan was to create a unified thirteen colonies, but not everyone was so willingly on board.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act imposed a tax on all American colonists and requiring them to pay a percentage on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were all taxed.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

In this incident, a "patriot" mob got into an altercation with a group of British soldiers. What started off as soldiers being taunted turned into soldiers killing a number of colonists.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Because of cruel British taxes American colonists dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor in protest. Britain was taxing the colonies even though they had zero representation in Parliament.

Intolerable Acts

1774

The laws were extremely and outrageous harsh laws passed by British Parliament. This was meant to be a punishment to American resistors and protesters.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1774

Due to continuous and repeated rights violations by the British, the American colonies came together and declared independence from the British. It was formally declared July 2, but approved by congress July 4, then was signed until August 2.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Because of British actions, colonist from all colonies but Georgia met to discuss actions against the King's cruel ways. They, in end, demanded that the King stop the Intolerable Acts or else they would boycott English goods.

American Revolution begins

Apr 19, 1775

When British soldiers exchanged gunfire at Lexington and Concord it was declared "the shot heard round the world." From that point on, The American Revolution had started.

Second Continental Congress

May 5, 1775

After the First Continental Congress, this group of delegates managed the colonial war effort. By this time, the colonies were incrementally moving toward independence.

Shay's Rebellion

1786

This rebellion was a series of pretest led by farmers. These rebellious colonists resisted against state and local enforcement of tax collections and judgment for debt.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

55 state delegate, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, met to compose a constitution for the newly independent America. Delegates from every state except Rhode Island convened at the Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

This was an agreement states came to meet dealing with the legislative structure of each state and the representation each state received.