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Origins of American Government
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Founding of Jamestown
In 1607, Jamestown became the first permanant settlement in America. Jamestown was in Virginia and was settled 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth. -
The House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was created by the Governor Yeardley after landing in Jamestown in 1619. He kbew that he wanted to have a legislative assembly so he created the House of Burgesses. -
The Founding of Plymouth
During 1620, a group of religious separatists left England in search of a place to start a new colony aboard the Mayflower. They landed in modern day Massachussetts near Cape Cod and planted themselves on Plymouth Rock. -
Mayflower Compact
This was the foundation for the framework of the government that we have today. It told how the government was goiung to work in the new country. 41 poeple signed this document. -
The Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty was a group that was created in Boston after the Stamp Act was enacted. They were kind of an extreme group after being known to hang men who distributed stamps and especially the Commissioner of Stamp Distribution. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killing of five American colonists by British soldiers. Tensions had grown and when the soldiers became angry someone fired a shot and it led to a volley of gunfire. -
Second Continental Congress
This was a second congress that was created after the Boston Massacre. This group was the group that declared independence in 1776. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
This was a pamphlet that helped urge Americans to declare independence from England. Many American's that were not sure about declaring eventually found their common sense. -
Declaration of Independence
This was a document signed in Congress saying that the colonies wanted to become a nation and not be controlled by the English anymore. This document led to the Revolutionary War. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first written Constitution for the United States. It would have been pushed through earlier but was pushed to the side during the Revolutionary War. -
Cosntitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting between a group of delegates from all of the states to decide how the government would work. -
Delaware Ratifies Constitution
Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. COnstitution. THis lead to all of the 13 colonies eventually ratifying the Constitution and becoming the country that we have now.
