Timeline to the Constitution

  • 1215

    Magna Carta

    A document that took some powers away from King John of England. It was ignored, but shows progress.
  • Mayflower Compact

    The first governing body of Plymouth Colony
  • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

    The document that describes the government set up by the Connecticut River towns.
  • English Bill of Rights

    This document gave the Parliament more power than the monarchy.
  • Period: to

    French and Indian War

    During and after the war, England imposed lots of taxes to pay for the war debts.
  • Albany Plan of Union

    A plan to put all the colonies under a more central government.
  • First Continental Congress

    A meeting of delegates from all but one of the 13 colonies. They declared the Unites States independent from Britain.
  • Second Continental Congress

    Adopted the responsibilities of a government, had a delegate from all 13 colonies.
  • Declaration of Independence

    A document presented to the King of England that declared the United States as an independent nation.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Agreement between all 13 colonies that served as its first constitution.
  • Shay's Rebellion

    An uprising in western Massachusetts over high taxes and unfair treatment.
  • Virginia Plan

    Outlined a plan for a strong national government with a bicameral congress, supported BIG states.
  • Three-fifths Compromise

    The solution to the slave problem, saying that slaves only counted as 3/5s of a person.
  • New Jersey Plan

    Outlined a plan for a strong central government with a bicameral Congress, supported LITTLE states.
  • United States Constitution

    The document that the United States' government is based upon.