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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The document was a series of written promises between King John and his subjects that he, the king, would govern England and deal with its people according to the customs of feudal law. The people were given land in exchange for money and military service. -
Mayflower Compact
The purpose of the Compact was to form a central government within the colonies while maintaining their allegiance to the king of England. -
Petition of Rights
The Petition of Right is a major English constitutional document that gives specific liberties to the people which the king is not allowed to touch. Some of these things were restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, being sent to jail without a cause and restrictions on use of the Martial law. King Charles was the one to sign this document. -
English Bill of Rights
King William signed this bill into law, which gave the people freeddom of the followings: freedom from royal interference with the law, freedom to petition the Monarch, freedon from taxation by royal perogative, freedom from the standing army during times of peace, freedom for Protestants to bear arms, freedom to elect members of parliament without royal intervention, freedom of speech, freedom to have a fair trial or not to be punished without trial, and freedom from unjust punishment. -
French and Indian War
French and Indian WarThis war included two major players: the French, and the British, with a sprinkling of Indian colonies on both sides. Some of the major battles were Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac, Montreal, and Quebec. The British ultimately won. This also strengthened the colonies by removing their opponents. -
King George III Takes Power
King George took power over Great Britain and the American colonies in 1801. The enormous taxes he imposed on the american colonies after the French and Indian war caused the colonies to wish for freedom from Britain. -
Stamp Act
This act placed taxes on ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and playing cards. Patrick Henry created the Stamp Act resolves, which stated that colonies should only pay taxes to their own House of Burgesses, instead of England, in response to the act. -
Boston Tea Party
Liberty Kids Boston Tea Party Video clipIt was organized by the American Patriots,and the British responded by issuing the Intolerable Acts, which shut down the Massachusett Bay Port, and desrtoyed their government as well. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable acts were passed by the British in order to strip Massachusets of its self government, and historic rights, in order to punish them for the acts at the Boston tea party. This brought outrage and resistance to the colonial leaders and help develope and lead towards the American Revolution. -
Albany Plan of Union
Office of the HistorianThe idea to get the British colonies under a centralized governing was suggested by 7 representatives of the colonies. the idea was associated with the popular chopped up snake cartoon, which proclaimed, "join or die".The idea never became a reality. -
First Continental Congress
George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Harrison, Richard Bland, and Peyton Randolph were the major personalities of the First Continental Congree, a group devoted to froming a centralized power in America. The meeting took place at Carpenter's Hall, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This meeting established the plan to alert the king as to the grievances of the colonies, and repeal the Intolerable Acts. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killing of 5 colonists by British troops. It happened in response to the Townshend Acts, a huge burden for the colonies. -
Lexington and Concord
The result of the battle Lexington and Concord was the British sufferd an exstensive loss while the Americans took this battle as a bright start to the war. A few of the major generals invlovled in this battle were: Colonel James Barrett, Colonel John Buttrick, Dr. Joseph Warren, John Parker, and William Heath. Paul Revers part in this battle was riding ahead of the armies in order to warn the towns people and villiges to take shelter, and that a battle was about to ensue. -
Second Continental Congress
This event took place in Philadelphia after the Red Coats had started storming Boston and opening fire on crowds. The biggest idea that came about from this effent was separating completely from Englands rule, which eventually lead to the construction and offical signing of the Declaration of Independence. The five main colonial leaders that were involved in tis creation and siging where: John Admas, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. -
Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopted the Constitution on July 4th 1776, however it wasn't until August 2nd that the delegates began to sign it. There was a commite of 5 colonial leaders appointed to creating this decleration, that commite included:Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. However, the person who actually wrote the constitution was Jefferson. This document was created in order to give the colonies complete freedom from Britsh rule. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of confederation were agreed to by congess November 15th 1777 but was not in effect until March 1st 1781 after ratification by Maryland. These articles were created to in a way lay down the "law of the land" for the new free Union. John Hanson would be the first president to serve under these Articles of Confederation. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
This convention was called to place because of the realization by the American people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be modified.The Articles gave Congress no power to regulate domestic affairs, no power to tax, and more. The convention was called in February to meet in Philidelphia in May of 1787. Delegates from the various states met in the Pennsylvania State House on the 25th to Modifie the articles,The first thing they did was elect the first U.S president, George Washington.
