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Period: Sep 30, 1000 to
Major Events for Early American Government
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
A document of written promises. Sealed under oath by King John. -
Jamestown settled
The first permanent English settlement in America. -
Mayflower Compact written
The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. -
English Bill of Rights
Restatement of the Deleration of Right. -
Stamp Act
An act passed in the UK to create a new tax on publishers. Newpapers were subjected to tax and and price were increased. -
Albany Plan of Union
A plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. Although it was never carried out, it was the first important plan to conceive a united whole under one government. -
American Revolution begins
Between the years of 1765-1783 the Thriteen Colonies broke away from the British Empire and formed an independent nation - United States of America. -
Boston Massacre
When British Army soldiers killed 5 male civilians and injured 6 others. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. They dressed up as American Indians destroyed an entire shipment of tea, in defiance of the Tea Act. -
First Continental Congress
A covention that met in September of 1774. They discussed the passage of the Coercive Acts. -
Intolerable Acts
The American Patriots' name for a series laws passed by the British Parliament after the Boston Tea Party. These laws were meant to punish the MA colonists for throwing tea into the Boston harbor. -
Second Continental Congress
Discussed taking charge of the American Revolutionary War effort. -
Declaration of Independence
Announced that the thirteen colonies regarded themselves no longer a part of the British Empire. They formed a new nation - United States of America. -
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States. This eventually led to the United States Constitution in 1789 -
Shays' Rebellion
Series of attacks on courthouses by a band of farmers. This was to block foreclosure proceedings. -
Philadelphia Convention
Discussed problems in governing the USA. Which at this time had been operating under the Articles of Conferderation. -
Constitutional Convention
Method of amending state constitution in which voters may approve the calling of a convention of state citizens to propose amendments to the state constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
Established two houses of congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. -
Petition of Right
English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from doing.
