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House of Burgesses
"The Speaker, read unto them the commission for establishing the general House, And forasmuch as our intente is to establish one equall and uniforme kinde of government over all Virginia." The first legislature in America was the House of Burgesses. It could make laws, but they were subject to veto until 1624, when it became a royal colony. It set the stage for representative democracy in America. John Pory. "General Assembly" [Jameston] 30 July 1619. Print. -
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Buildup to American Democracy
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Mayflower Compact
"We, the Loyal Subjects of Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, do enact, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient; unto which we promise Submission and Obedience." The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document in America that established a government. Provided the Pilgrims with a basis of a social contract that showed that all men were equal. Mayflower Compact. 1620. MS. Yale Law School, Cape Cod. -
French and Indian War
A war between the colonists and the French and their Indian alliance, seeing whether Great Britian or France would have control of American terrorities. The war lasted from 1754 to 1763. This was settled at the Treaty of Paris, February 10, 1763. This influenced the idea of "Taxation without Representation." The Americans' didn't want to be taxed without being representated by someone from the colonies. Aber, J. S. "Louisiana as Formerly Claimed by France" Map. London: London Magazine, 1765 -
Stamp Act
"For every piece of parchment or sheet of paper, on which shall be ingrossed, written or printed, any declaration, plea, or pleading, or any copy thereof, in any British colony , a stamp duty of three pence. " The act was passed to pay the costs of defending the colonies. This lead to the cry, "No taxation without representation!" The Stamp Act was a major cause of the Revolutionary War, which lead to freedom. British Parliament. "The Stamp Act" 1765. TS. Library of Congress, London. -
The Tea Act
The Act passed by Parliament which launched the final spark to the Revolutionary movement in Boston. It undercut the sale of tea by the local merchants and caused the Boston Tea Party. This was the action that caused the British to send soldiers into the colonies and led to the Revolutionary War. -
Intolerable Acts
A series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 which triggered outrage and resistance in the Thirteen Colonies and developements in the growth of the American Revolution. They were viewed as a violation of the colonists' rights and resulted in revolt against Britian. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British troops were sent to Concord to capture John Hancock and Sam Adams, but both men escpaed. When the British came to capture them, the Minutemen were waiting at Lexington due to Paul Revere's warning. The Americans were withdrawing when a shot was fired, and the British charged. This shot started the Revolution and showed that freedom was possible for Americans. Decosta, J. "Lexington and Concord." Map. Battle Of, Lexington and Concord. London: Red Cross Street Southmark, 1775. Print. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declation of Independence announced the decision of the United States of America to become free from British rule. It also explained the reasons for doing so. "All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the... governed;" Declaration of Independence. 1776. TS. Yale Law School, Philadelphia. -
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American Democracy
