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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a charter of liberties granted to the powerful barons who rebelled due to unsuccesfful foreign policies and heavy taxation. It was signed by King John in England. It created the foundation for the ENglish system of common law. It included rights such as property rights and a trial by jury. The image attached depicts King John as he was signing the Magna Carta. The following link is a website that explains the history behind the Magna Carta and KIng John, and it's significance -
Jan 2, 1215
Magna Carta (2)
to the History of America. http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/magna-carta.htm -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was written as a temporary form of government until an official form of governement came from england. It was a governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It acted as a social contract which made the settlers in the colony follow the rules in order to survive. The picture shown is a photograph of Bradford's transcription of the Mayflower Compact. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was a document presented by Sir Edward Coke, which served to remind King Charles I that the King is not above the law. Signed by Charles I, the rights granted to the people include that no person should be forced to provide a gift, loan or tax without an Act of Parliament. No free individual be imprisoned without a clause, and soldiers should not be allowed to be housed without consent from the owner. The picture included is a picture of the Petition of Right. -
English Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was a re-statement of the Declaration of Right presented to William and Mary by the Convention Parliament. The rights given to the people were freedom ofspeech, regular elections, the right to petition, and the right to have arms for Protestants. The image shown is a picture of the English Bill of Rights. -
Albany Plan of Union
THe Albany Plan of Union was suggested by Benjamin Franklin, and it occurred as 20 representatives gathered to form a more centralized government. Although the plan was never carried out, it was the first step in creative a unified government. THe popular cartoon associated with the Albany Plan of Union is the Join of DIe cartoon made by Benjamin Franklin, which represents the idea that the colonies must join together (shown in the event entry). -
French and Indian War
(1754-1763) The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War was fought between France and New France and the colonies of British America and Britain. Major battles include the Battle of RIver Monongahela, Battle of Quebec, and the Battle of Montreal. Ultimately, the British Colonies won the conflict. This event changed our relationship with the British because the British demanded money from the colonies in order to payback for the war and protection. -
King George III takes power
King George III took the throne after the death of his father. He changed the relationship between the British and the colonies by opposing their bid for independence. His influence in the relationship after the French and Indian War was that he demanded the colonies to pay duties to Britain as a reparation for the money spent on protecting the colonial territory during the French and Indian War. The picture attatched is a depiction of King Geroge III and expresses his attitude/stubborn belief -
Stamp Act
As a result of the costly Seven Year's War, Britain imposed a tax on all printed materials. It was required that printed items have a stamped tax. The colonial leaders resisted the act, and coined the famous phrase "no taxation without representation", and the Sons of Liberty tarred and feathered those who abided to with the British. The picture is shown is a notice of the Stamp Act in a newspaper. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an incident where British troops opened fire on civilian men in Boston. This incident resulted in the death of five people. The act that led to this tragedy was the Townshend Acts. -
Boston Tea Party
This is an educational video on the Boston Tea Party. It explains why the rebels were so furious, what they did, and what the consequences were. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the manipulation of the tea economy by the British government. It was organized by the Resistance Party against England, otherwise known as the Sons of Liberty, and the British were appauled by it. The British government closed Boston and enacted the Intolerable Acts. The picture shown is a painting of the famous event by Nathaniel Currier entitled "The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor". -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts was the named after Brtitain's punishments to the colonies as a result of the Botson Tea Party. They shut fown ports to Boston, forced colonists to hold trials in Britain, forbade colonists to hold town meetings, and did not allow red coats on camp in Boston. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from twelve colonies met as a response to the Intolerable Acts. The major personalities involved were Peyton Randolph, Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Adams, and John Jay. As a result of the meeting, they established a unified resistance against the British by secretly sotring ammunition and weapons. The delegates met at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. -
Lexington and Concord
The battles at Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War. British troops tried to seize military arms, and Paul Revere sounded alarms for militiamen to attack.This battle sparked the beginning of the war. The major generals involved were John Parker, James Barrett, John Buttrick, William Heath, Joseph Warren, Isaac Davis, Francis Smith, John Pitcairn, and Hugh Perry. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress took place in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania. The issues discussed were related to the war effort, and moved towards independence. They raised armies, directed strategy, appointed diplomats, and made formal treaties. The colonial leaders involved include: Peyton Randolph, Charles Thompson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Middleton. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin took on the task of creating a formal statement for the freedom of the thirteen colonies from British rule. It officially marked that the American colonies were independent states and are no longer a part of Britain. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the America colonies. It was sparked by the desire for a more unified government. However, the writers feared too much cental power. The Articles of Confederation were later replaced. The first president of the Articles of Confederation was John Hanson in 1782. -
The Treaty of Paris
This link discusses the setting and important dates pertaining to the Treaty of Paris. It also mentions several important men, who were integral to the process.At the end of the revolutionary war, the British recognized America's independence. The men who represented the United States in the signing of the Treaty of Paris were Adams, Franklin, and Jay. As a result of the Treaty of Paris, the United States gained all the territory between the Allegheny Mountains to the Mississippi River. Britain finally recognized the declaration of independence. The image is a painting of the signing of the preliminary Treaty of Paris. -
Start of Consitutional Convention
At the Annapolis Convention in 1786, Madison called forth a convention at Annapolis Maryland to discuss trade-related issues and develop a better law of government. The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was topeacefully overthrow the new American governement as defined by the Articles of Confederation.
