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Period: Jan 1, 1215 to
Forging the American Dream
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a key part in establishing that a monarchy's power is not absolute. Because the Magna Carta protected the basic rights of life, liberty, and property, Thomas Jefferson used it to protect the rights he believed every man was born with. Also, the Magna Carta ensured a fair trial with a jury and due process of law. -
Mayflower Compact
When the first colonists came over on the Mayflower, half of them came to practice the religion they wanted without being forced to practice the King's religion. This was the foundation for the freedom of religion that the Founders gave to every man when separating from the British Empire, and was why most people came to the Colonies. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was another limitation to the power of the King, showing that the power was not absolute, and had given the colonists a weak spot to challenge the king with. The Founders could also use the rights that Parliament gained with this document and gave them to every man, such as the lawful judgement of his peers or by law of the land. -
Navagation Act
The Navagation Act was significant in the founding of the United States because it limited the colonies from trading with contries other than Britian, confining them even more to remain part of Britian. By limiting trade, they also limited allies that the colonies could have, but the American dream is to have wealth, which was being denied with the Navagation Act. -
English Bill of Rights
Another basis for the rights that every American would soon have, this gave the parliament the freedon of speech, the requirements of regular elections, and the right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution. It also allowed Protestants to bear arms within the rule of law. If the select few in parliament could have these rights, then why couldn't everyone else? These rights influenced the rights that are contained in the amendments, that everyone now has. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian War ended, King George declared that the colonies could not expand any further. This created coflict because the colonists thought that the British were confining them to the eastern seaboard to keep them under British power. This made them want to separate more so that they could expand and become more powerful and not be forced to do what the King wanted them to do. -
Sugar Act
After the failing Molasses Act expired, the King set out another tax on sugar, hoping this one would be enforced. It called for three pence tax on a gallon of molasses, which was half of the previous tax. This angered the colonists, who smuggled most of their molasses, because it was more strictly enforced and they were forced to pay the tax. The colonist believed they were being taxed without representation to help pay for Britain's enormous debt. -
Stamp Act
After a tax was put on all legal documents, certain business documents, and newspapers, the colonists were being forced to pay the debt that Britain had incurred during the French and Indian War. It was taxing without representation, as the colonists put it, and was one of the reasons the colonies separated. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the first attack on the British. It showed the colonists feelings towards the British and the unfair taxes, so this was a protest to try and be heard. The colonists were definitally heard, but taxes were not reduced or even slightly changed. Instead of what they wanted, the colonists got the Coercive Acts, and they learned that words speak louder than actions. -
Coercive Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, the British enforced several new laws on the colonies to punish the perpatrators. It closed off the Boston Port, which colonists said punished all of the citizens, not just those who participated. This then sparked the first Continental Congress which would lead to the separation of the colonies from Britain. -
First Continental Congress
Called together to talk about the Coercive Acts, the First Continental Congress decided to boycott British goods, and wrote a list of greivences that they requested the King make up for. By petitioning the King, they showed that they were still trying to be heard, so that they would not be forced to pay taxes without reason. Also, they called for another meeting if their petition failed, which it did. -
First Shots Fired at Lexington and Concord
Also known as "The shot heard 'round the world," these shots were the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Also it showed the determination of the Militia to separate from Britian, outnumbering the British regulars and beginning the Siege of Boston. -
Second Continental Congress
WIth all of the thirteen colonies joined together just after the beginning of the Revolutionary War, it was here that they organized defense for the colonies and put up a fight against the British so that they would be heard and would soon gain freedom, as they were somewhat like the government at that time. -
Declaration of Independence
Everything that had happened in the Colonies led up to this event, where they would finally be heard. Here, they gave reasons to why they were separating and becoming independent states, which influenced the rest of the world, because nothing like this had ever been written before. It marked the end of the British rule over the new land, and even attacked the King with what he had done wrong.
