U.S. Government Timeline JG

  • Magna Carta
    1215

    Magna Carta

    This is the signing of the Magna Carta by King John which went from rule of man to rule of law.
  • Jamestown's House of Burgesses

    Jamestown's House of Burgesses

    The first English-speaking representative assembly in North America, established in Jamestown, Virginia.
  • Mayflower Compact

    Mayflower Compact

    A legal agreement signed by 41 adult male passengers on the Mayflower.
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right

    This was a right that was required to be signed by King Charles, and it required the monarchs get parliamentary approval before new taxes.
  • Civil War

    Civil War

    Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into civil war.
  • The Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment

    Intellectual movement in the 18th century Europe. Framers of the U.S. Constitution believed in people's natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
  • Renewed Conflict

    Renewed Conflict

    After King Charles had died there was a renewal of conflicts between the parliament and the crown.
  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights

    During that same year, the English Bill of Rights was passed.
  • William and Mary

    William and Mary

    Four years later, William and his wife, Mary, were chosen to be the next rulers but had to govern as well according to statutes of Parliament.
  • The Sugar Act

    The Sugar Act

    Cut the duty on foreign molasses from 6 to 3 pence per gallon, retained a high duty on foreign refined sugar, and prohibited the importation of all foreign rum.
  • The Stamp Act

    The Stamp Act

    Required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence

    Blamed the king for variety of issues in the colonies. Signed by the delegates to the continental congress.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre

    British soldiers fired into crowd, killing 5 colonists.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party

    Revolutionaries dumped British Tea into the harbor
  • Intolerable Acts

    Intolerable Acts

    Colonists were forced to "quarter" or house British troops.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Articles of Confederation

    Delegates aimed to have a confederation in which colonies kept their sovereignty, freedom, and independence.
  • Representative Government

    Representative Government

    Tradition began in the 11th century.
  • Northwest Ordinance

    Northwest Ordinance

    Established a plan for setting the Northwest territory.
  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay's Rebellion

    Massachusetts farmers rebelled over prospect of losing land.
  • The Constitutional Convention

    The Constitutional Convention

    A meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 14 to September 17.