-
Jan 1, 1215
The Magna Carta
In 1215, King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta by a group of determined barons. The Magna Carta included the fundamental rights. For instance, trial by jury and due process of law protection against the arbituary taking life, liberty, or property. This document also established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute. -
Mayflower Compact
This was a document signed by 41 pilgrims that stated that the men agreed to create a temporary government and binded by its laws. This government became the basic government of Plymouth County. -
Petition of Rights
In 1628, Charles 1 signed the Petition of Rights. The Petition of Rights stated that the King's power is limited. It stated that the king cannot imprison or punish anyody without the lawful judgement of their peers, or by the law of the land. It also said that the military can't rule in time of peace as well as not making people do something without their consent. -
Navigation Act
The Navigation Act was effective between 1660 and 1696. This act restricted trade between the English colonies and any non-english colonies. This made many people go bankrupt. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights limited William and Mary of Orange's power. It stated that everything they did had to go through the Parliment so that they didn't abuse their power. It also stated rights like no cruel or unusual punishment and the right to fair trial. -
Proclamation of 1763
The proclamation banned the expansion of the colonies to "protect idian land". The frontier expansion of America was banned after the French and Indian War. They created 4 new terretories, Quebec, West Florida, East Florida, and Grenada.
There was then 6 terretories. They could not expand past the Mississippi River though. -
Sugar Act
It was an act in 1764 and it put 3-cent taxes on sugar. They also raised taxes on coffee, indigo, and certain wine. It banned imported rum and french wine. The taxes were raised without any consent. -
Stamp Act
In 1765, a law was written that required tax stamps on all legal documents, on certain business agreements, and on newspapers. This law led up to boycotts, the Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, a group of men disguised themselves as Native Americans as they boarded 3 ships in the Boston Harbor. Here they dumped the cargo to protest against the British's control of the tea trade. -
Coercive Act (Intolerable Act)
This was a series of laws created by the Prime Minister Lord North. They were in response to and punishment to the rebellion of the Boston Tea Party. There were 5 laws. The Impartial Administration of Justice, The Massachutes Bay Regulating Act ,The Boston Port Act, the Quarting Act, and the Quebec Act. These were the harshest act they had ever done. -
First Continental Congress
This congress lasted from September 5 , 1774 until October 26, 1774. The First Continental Congress included many important people like John Adams and George Washington. These people met about worsening issues and they discussed how to take action. They agreed on boycotting Britain. -
First Shots fired at Lexington and Concord
The British chose to try and see if the Americans had stockpile weapons and Concord. The first shot was fired at Lexington while the British were marching through it. Nobody knew who fired first. The Americans had to retreat to Concord. When the british arrived at Concord, the Americans were waiting for them and the British had to retreat. They were mocked during their exit. -
Second Continental Congress
This congress lasted from July 1776 until March 1, 1781. The Second Continental Congress was the first government in the United States. It included John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin. During their 5 years, they created money, raised armies, bought supplies, made treaties with foreign countries, and created the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. -
The Declaration of Independence
This document was voted on and signed between July 2 and July 4 ,1776. The Declaration announced the United States independence from Britain. It told the world why they wanted independence.
