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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
King John of England signed it. SIgned in a meadow at Runnymede in South England. People were given more justice because of the document. -
Mayflower Compact
The purpose was to ensure that the settlers that came off the Mayflower were established a fair government by majortiy rule. -
Petition of Rights
Click here to read the contents of this document.This was a constitutional document created to set out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. These liberties include non-Parlimentary taxation, foreced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restrictions of the martial law. This document was signed by King Charles I. -
Albany Plan of Union
This was a plan, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, to unite the thriteen colonies under one government. Although it was never carried out, it was an important first attempt to unite the colonies.The Albany Plan inspired some aspects of the draft Articles of Confederation. It also inspried Benjamin Frankline to creat the cartoon seen to the left. -
French and Indian War
Great Britian, France, and the American Indians were all major players in this war.Some major battles were Battle of Fort Necessity, Battle of Lake George, Battle of Oswego, and many more. The British ultimatley won this war. -
King George III Takes Power
George III's Bio, Quotes, and Timeline of Major EventsGeorge III was one of the longest reigning British Monarchs. He was monarch during the Seven Years' War and the loss of the American colonies in the War of Independence. At the end of the French and Indian war, he wanted to organize the North American empire and stabilize relationshsips with the Native Americans through the regulation of trade, settlement, and land purchases with the Royal Proclaimation of 1763. Thanks to him, Britain was the industrial and economic role model of the time period -
Stamp Act
In this act, the British imposed a direct tax on the colonies that required them to that printed materials be made on stamped paper produced in Lodon which had a revenue stamp on it. This act was created to help pay for the Seven Year's War. The colonies reacted by creating petitions and protests and leaders held the Stamp Act Congress. This event played a large role to the start of the colonial resistence. -
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre Vid This was a result of the presence of royal troops who were in Boston to enforce the Townshed Acts. Because of the tension between the troops and the civilians, a mob formed around a British Sentry, who was eventually supported by British soldiers. The soldiers then fired into the crowd without instruction too, killing five and injuring six. Above is a link to a video in which experts dicuss the event. -
Boston Tea Party
The Tea Party is the political party that organized the event. The British responded by passing acts that made the Boston government fall apart slowly. -
Intolerable Acts
These acts were laws set by the British in relation to Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party. These acts included Boston Port Act, which closed ports until the tea was payed for, Massachusetts Government Act, for better regulation of gev't, Administration of Justice Act, an act for impartial afministration of justice, and Quebec Act, a provision for the gov't of Quebec. The British wanted to make an example out of Massachusetts and it led to the first national conference since the Stamp Act. -
First Continental Congress
British soldiers, royal governors, and other factions of people made up the personalities involved. This established Committees of Observation to enforce the boycott of british goods. This event occured in Philideplphia. -
Lexington and Concord
Click here for more on Lexington and Concord!These were the first conflicts of the Revolutionary War and they marked the outbreak of open armed conflist between the British and the colonies. Britain's General Gage and Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith gave secret to capture Same Adams and John Hancock in Lexington, and then seize weapon supply in Concord. Lanterns informed Paul revere about the attack and he then warned the countryside that the Britsh were coming! This event lead to the Siege of Boston. -
Second Continental Congress
Philidelphia, Pennsylvania is where this event takes place much like the first meeting. In this meeting a better militia for the colonies was organized, the decision on wether or not to print paper money was discussed, and the signing of the Declaration or Independence were amung the subjects talked about. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington all attended. -
Declaration of Independence
This document is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress stating that the 13 American Colonies, then at war with Great Britain, would be regarded to as independent states unruled by the British Empire. -
Articles of Confederation
John Hanson would be the first president under the the Articles of Confederation. These documents are the original consitiution of the United States.Then replaced by the US Constitution in 1789 -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty put an end to the Revolutionary War and recognized US independence. The aticles of peace were signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens for the United States. This gave the United States all territory between the Allegheny Mountains on the east and the Missippi River of the west. The Congress of Confederation ratified this treaty on Jan 14th 1784. The two provisions of this treaty were British recognition of US independence and the delination of boundaries. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
This was a interstate convention called by Virginia. The purpose of this event was to discuss a uniform regulation of commerce.Only five of 13 colonies were represented. The main achievement of the convention was the decision to call a meeting in order to dicuss possible changes to the Articles of Confederation so that they could create a more powerful union. -
English Bill of Rights
Those who were involved include KIng James lll, King William lll, and Mary. Some specific rights given to citizens are: no cruel and unusual punishments, no fines, and no armies raised in peacetime.
