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Major Events for Early American Government

  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    Magna Carta means "The Great Charter". It was created to limit the power of King John.
  • Jamestown Settled

    Jamestown Settled
    Jamestown was the first English settlement in America. It was settled in the colony of Virginia.
  • Mayflower Compact Written

    Mayflower Compact Written
    The Mayflower Compact is the first governing document of Plymouth. Men on the Mayflower signed this document to create a government in Plymouth.
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right
    The Petition of Right is a major English constitutional document. This document set out liberties that the King can not infringe upon.
  • English Bill of Rights

    English Bill of Rights
    The Bill of Rights sets out certain civil rights. These include separation of powers, limiting the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic elections, and bolsters freedom of speech.
  • Albany Plan of Union

    Albany Plan of Union
    This plan was to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It was suggested by Benjamin Franklin.
  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    The Stamp Act was a taxation on the colonies that required many newspapers to be stamped and produced in London. This act was very unpopular among colonists who believed this was a violation of rights.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    The Boston Massacre is also known as the "Incident on King Street". British army soldiers killed 5 civilians and injured 6 more.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty. They destroyed shipments of tea in response to a high taxation on tea. (threw tea into the harbor)
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from 12 out of the 13 colonies. This was called in response to the Intolerable Acts
  • Intolerable Acts

    Intolerable Acts
    These were a series of laws passed by British parliament after the Boston Tea Party. They were meant to punish Massachusetts colonists.
  • American Revolution Begins

    American Revolution Begins
    The American Revolution consisted of the 13 colonies uprising against the British Monarchy. This founded the USA
  • Second Continental Congress

    Second Continental Congress
    The second continental congress was banded to manage colonial war effort. They worked towards moving America to independence.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    This document was made by the Second Continental Congress. It is the announcement that the 13 colonies would separate from England.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Articles of Confederation
    The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution in America. Under these, the states remained sovereign.
  • Shays' Rebellion

    Shays' Rebellion
    Shays' Rebellion is the name of a series of protest by American farmers. Named after Daniel Shays, people rebelled against the government for high taxation and judgement for debt.
  • Philadelphia Convention

    Philadelphia Convention
    The philadelphia convention was called by congress to revise the Articles of Confederation. They eventually decided to throw out the Articles.
  • Constitution Convention

    Constitution Convention
    This is another name for the Philadelphia Convention. This convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation.
  • Connecticut Compromise

    Connecticut Compromise
    This was also known as the "Great Compromise". This agreement between large and small states allowed for fair representation in the Senate.