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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The significance of the Magna Carta is that the Magna Carta established the thought that the power of the monarchy is not absolute. The Magna Carta also helped establish some of the laws we have now, such as trial by jury, due process of law and protection against the unnecessary taking of life, liberty, and property. -
Mayflower Compact
The significance of the Mayflower Compact is that it is defined as the first democratic government created by voluntary agreement among men of equal rights. This is important because this is how our government functions today. Without the first pilgrims establishing a government like this it could have taken many more years to get to where we are now. -
The Petition of Rights
: The significance of the Petition of Rights is that it challenged the idea of the rights the king held. It also made the idea clear that even a monarch has to obey the laws. It also helped establish some of our current laws such as lawful judgment by other, housing troops, and the use of marital rule in a time of peace. -
Navigation Acts
The significance of the Navigation Acts is that it limited the colonies’ free trade. When the colonies free trade was limited without any consolation from them the colonists were angered. This was one of the many things that would then cause the colonists to revolt and declare their independence. -
English Bill of Rights
The significance of the English Bill Of Rights is that our government was built on these laws. We changed and added to those ideas but the foundation of our government is based on them. We have some of the same laws as stated in the English Bill of Rights such as right to fair trial, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, and use of money for the President. -
Proclamation of 1763
The significance of the Proclamation of 1763 was that it angered the colonists and added another list of things that caused them to rebel. By limiting the movement of the colonists they were forced to obey more of Britain’s rules because now not only could they not trade with other countries on the east but now towards the south they couldn’t trade because they were limited to where they could go. This was another reason the colonists rebelled and declared independence. -
Sugar Act
: The significance of the Sugar Act is that the colonists were being taxed without any representation. Taxation without representation is not allowed now many years in the future. The Sugar Act was one way that the colonists were able to prove their rights by saying they were being charged without the proper representation -
Stamp Act
The significance of the Stamp Act is that the colonists were being taxed with no representation. They rebelled against the stamp act when the Virginia House declared that they would not pay the taxes. By rebelling they showed Britain that they had the same rights at the British and would not have their rights taken away from them. -
Boston Tea Party
The significance of the Boston Tea Party is that the colonists had had enough with Britain taxing them so they took the little power they had and showed Britain they would not have their rights taken from them and that they would not be controlled by Britain in every aspect of their lives. -
Coercive Acts
The significance of the Coercive Acts was that the colonists were outraged that Britain tried to limit their rights. The reason for the Boston tea party had been to show the British that they wanted their full rights and the British government responded by limiting their rights even more. -
First Continental Congress
The significance of the First Continental Congress was that this was the first time delegates from the colonies had come together to discuss the better future for themselves. This influenced our government today. Another significance is that this was when they met together to discuss the future and how they were going to handle the coercive acts. This was just the beginning in the soon to be independence of the colonies. -
Lexington and Concord
significance of the first shots was that this was the first time the colonists rebelled in a violent manner. This showed that the colonists were done having Britain control them and were taking any measures to break away from the country and there was more soon to come. -
Second Continental Congress
The significance of the second continental Congress is that this was now the second time delegates had come together to discuss issues they were facing. This would now greatly influence today’s government. Also this was when the colonies declared they now had an army and were now going to take the rights that individual countries had. They were soon going to be an independent state. -
Declaration of Independence
The significance of the Declaration of Independence is that it was when the colonies finally let Britain know they were done. They would no longer have any rights taken away from them. They were no free and had the will to do what they pleased. This was also the start to the Revolution which in the end would truly show that America was no longer under British rule.
