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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the first document to limit the King of Englands power by law and protection of their privileges. King John signed the Magna Carta in Runnymeade. The Magna Carta was also originally written in Latin. The Magna Carta was extememly significant in all of history. It promised people certian rights, as well as binding the king to certain laws. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower compact was signed by 41 colonists on the actual Mayflower ship. Its purpose was to promise religious freedom, establish a government and to elect representitives. The Mayflower Compact is significant because it was the first governeing document in America. -
Petition of Rights
Petition of Rights websiteThe petition of rights sets out specific liberties that the King cannot infringe on. King Charles I signed the Petition of Rights. It was significant because it granted people under this petition that no taxes would be given without Parliament consent, you can't be put it prison without a cause to be there, soldiers can't be put in private houses and martial law can't be used in times of peace. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of rights invited William and Mary to become joint sovereigns of England. It states the rights of Parliament and freedom of speech. Two of the most important and widely known rights given were freedom of speech and freedom from unjust punishment. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin suggested the Albany Plan of Union. This ended up not being successful. "Join or Die" was the popular political cartoon associated with the Albany plan of union. Benjamin Franklin was the initiator of this cartoon. -
French and Indian War
Some important people during the French and Indian War were George Washington, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, King George III, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Some key events during this was were British defeat at Ft. Duquesne, Massacre at Ft William Henry, Battle of Quebec and French surrendering Montreal. The British won the French and Indian War. Americans hated the British after the war and Britian was in debt. This war was significant because it worsened our relationship with Britian. -
King George III takes power
King George III did not change the relationship between Britian and the colonies once he took power. The negative relationship between him and the colonies was established when George Washington needed a figure to direct his frusteration to. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act taxed every printed piece of paper. This inculded licenses, newspapers and ever playing cards. The colonists were upset with the standards that the Stamp Act set. They weren't as angry with the initial cost of it. The Stamp Act was significant because it effected everyones daily life by adding extra cost on printed paper. -
Intolerable Acts
The Brisish passed the intolerable acts in "revenge" for the Boston Tea Party. The provisions of the intolerable acts were that Britian closed of of Bostons tea ports until the tea was paid for that was destroyed at the time of the Boston Tea Party. The British stopped colonists to have meetings and they allowed themselves to house troops wherever they pleased. This was significant because it was a huge setback between British and Colonists. -
Boston Massacre
Initially, 3 people died during the Boston Massacre but later 2 more died because of their injuries. Many people in Boston saw the British troops as being a threat to the government which eventually led to the Boston Massacre. This event is a widely known massacre in history. -
Boston Tea Party
Website on Boston Tea PartyThe sons of liberty, who were a patriot political organization, organized the Boston Tea Party. The British response to the Boston Tea party was making the Intolerable Acts which essentially killed the Massachusetts governement. -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress was attended by56 delegates who were elected by 12 of the 13 colonies. Important people were Peyton Randolph who presided, Henry Middleton who was president of the congress, and Charles Thomson, the leader of Philadelphia, where it took place. The primary establishment was to boycott all British goods. The second establishment was providing for a second continental congress. -
Lexington and Concord
Results of Lexington and Concord say that the British outnumbered all. It was known as the shot heard around the world. Important Generals inculded Colonel Francis Smith, Captian John Parker and Colonel James Barrett. Paul Revere was significant to Lexington and Concord because he notified the Colonial militia of the Brititsh forces approaching. -
Second Continental Congress
The second continental congress met in Philidelphia Pennsylvania, like the first one. The main idea was to declare America's independance from Britian. Peyton Randolf and Thomson were president and secretary, just as the first one. Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock were two new faces. The second continental congress was important because we finally got independance from Britian. -
Declaration of Independence
Video on Declaration of Independance Of course, the Declaration of Independance was signed on July 4th and stated that everyone should be treated equally. The main significance was to explain why we wanted independance from Great Britian. -
Articles of Confederation
The articles of confederation was an agreement within the 13 colonies and served as a first constitution. John Hanson was the first president under the Articles of Confederation. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
The articles at the start of the Constitutional Convention gave absolutely no power . Congress had to depend on donations from the states. This left us with no money during the Revolutionary war.
