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Feb 11, 1215
Magna Carta
Due to other former colonies using England's legal system as a model when developing their own legal systems, the Magna Carta had major influence on other governments. Many legal historians thought that the Magna Carta was one of the most important documents of all time. This clause filled document helped inspire the ideas put into some of the greatest documents, such as the Constitution. These ideas influenced those ideas, leading us to where we are today, as a nation. -
Mayflower Compact
As the first written document in the New World, the Mayflower Compact has been given a special position as one of the founding documents of the American freedom, along with the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut which were adopted in January 1639 for the governing of the towns that ran along the Connecticut River. Under the provisions of the Mayflower compact, the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts governed itself until 1691 when it was annexed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Petition of Rights
The petition of rights of 1628 limited the king from having sole ultimate control over such things as imprisonment, taxing, and martial law. This statement showed an initial sense of the need for a controlled separation of powers showing the need for more than just one person holding power. This helped to imbue the need for a balance of power in government as well as civic liberty. -
Navigation Acts
The navigation acts of the seventeenth century(1650-1696) showed the persistence the British had towards the objective of control in this case over trade. This came despite the colonies rejection towards the initiative of the navigation acts. However, due to their objection and their own persistence the colonies were able to pave the way for the acts to be revoked. -
English Bill of Rights
As one of three very important laws made during this time, the Bill of Rights held much importance in controlling the power of kings and queens and to make sure their power was not taken advantage of, therefore subject to the Parliament’s laws. This Bill of Rights designed the ability for a sense of equality between the people and all elements of the people without any lack of balance and sensible designation of powers. -
Sugar Act
This act once again proved to make no happiness in the lives of the colonists because if they only were able to trade with the British, they would not be able to earn as much of a profit from selling their own goods. This act was especially threatening if they purchased the same amount of imported goods as they did before the act was in place because they could lose money. Some of the colonists marked their own importance as leaders by boycotting, hoping for prices to lower. -
The Stamp Act
During the Stamp Act, American Colonists did not feel represented fairly in government and their protest on the idea of “no taxation without representation” was never legally addressed. The colonists however, did not let that throw them down, and though unable to make change, the English Parliament was forced to repeal it the next spring after. The discontent and taxes exaggerated until finally they went to war where there they exerted their need for independence in the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
This event held significance for being the first violent act initiated by the colonists as well as the first cries for independence in the Boston area. After the event the English government demanded that the Boston government pay for tea, but the locals refused. Due to this occurrence, British forces did, in fact close the harbor which ended up further initiating the cries for independence. -
Coercive Acts
The four acts, the Boston Port Act, Quartering Act, Administration of Justice Act, and the Massachusetts Government Act were passed as the “coercive” or “intolerable” acts which were what the English parliament wanted to enforce in order to bring order back to Massachusetts and eliminating the resentment that colonist’s had, especially after the Boston Tea Party. Soon later as tensions rose the Revolutionary War broke out, eventually leading to the independence of the United States. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was able to discuss what things would be best suited to proclaim amidst the nation. One of the congress’s first acts was to create the Continental Army, a militia group which would be commanded by Representative George Washington. Their second act was the Olive Branch petition allowing the British Empire one more opportunity to live in peace. King George rejected the act, and then the Second Continental Congress came into governing. -
First Shots Fired at Lexington and Concord
Though no one is positive on who started this historical movement, it holds the beginning to one of the most influential times of the United State’s history such as the creation of the Continental Army and the formation of the Second Continental Congress. Reports from the time period stated that a colonial observer was responsible. Others state that a British Soldier fired. Also, according to historians, there is evidence to support the no combatant on the grounds was the culprit. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence marked the dawn of a new age for America.This document shed light on what the nation’s values would be as it continued to grow and become more elaborate.The Declaration of Independence showed what the government would focus its attention would focus on; showing the ideas it would focus priority.The Declaration of Independence is single-handedly the greatest document of our nation’s history which helps to guide our government everyday just as when first written.
