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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta established the kernel of limited government, or the belief that the monarch's rule was not absolute. the Magna Carta provided the basis for the later development of Parliment Over the years, representative government led by a prime Minister came to control and eventually replace the king as the real source of power in Britain. -
The Stamp Act
The stamp act required Colonists to purcahse special stamped paperfor every legal document, license, newspaper, etc. The tax took a toll out of everyones pocket.Colonists who disobeyed the law were to be tried in the vice-admiralty courts, where convictions were probable. The "sons of Liberty" did not take this lightly and harassed many people enforcing the law. -
Boston Massacre
The Americans and the British did not only fight in words but, in blood shed as well. The Boston Massacre was the beginning on what was to come later on. British officials in Boston feared for their lives. Boston was in the middle of a huge riot. Soon after that the British finally took a big step and put their foot down. The Townspeople had restraint. -
The Tea Act
a bill designed to save the East India Company from bankruptcy by greatly lowering the tea tax it paid to the British government. Because all legal tea entered the colonies through England, allowing the East India Company to pay lower taxes in Britain also allowed it to sell tea more cheaply in the colonies. The "sons of liberty" however, had other plans. In the middle of the night on December 16, 1773 they dumped 18,000 pounds of tea in revolt. -
1st Continental congress
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, from September 5, to October 26, 1774.All of the colonies except Georgia sent delegates. Most of the delegates were chosen by the people or by the colonial legislatures. The objectives of the body were not entirely clear, however, great leadership was there and carried out important tasks. The King and Parliament were in need of understanding the grievances of the colonies. -
2nd Continental Congress
Lexington and Concord had changed everything. The Imperial Army was on the lookout for patriot leaders.with Redcoats storming boston once again, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia. The conversations they had were different this time. questions arose like First and foremost, how would the colonist meet the military threat of the British? They agreed that the continental Army would be formed.George Washington was elected the supreme commander. -
Common Sense
Thomas Payne argues for American separation from Great Britain and paves the way for the Declaration of Independence. It challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. He Spoke of common people of America. It was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution to the Congress that declared the thirteen colonies "free and independent states." Congress did not act on this immediately. There was a vote set in early July. A small group of 5 men including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were chosen to carefully word such a bold document. The declaration is divided into three main parts. -
English Bill Of Rights
An immediate issue that the new Congress took up was how to modify the Constitution. James Madison took the leading role crafting proposed amendments that would be sent to the states for approval. He reviewed numerous proposals and examples from state constitutions and carfully selected nineteen potential amendments to the Constitution.In the end, ten amendments were ratified in 1791.
