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Feb 22, 1215
Magna Carta
Great Charter forced upon King John of England by his barons. Established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute and guaranteed trial by jury and due process of law to the nobility -
Jamestown Settled
English men and boys sponsored by the Virginia Company of London founded Jamestown. It suffered terrible hardships in it's early years, but managed to endure and earned the distinction of being Americas first permanent English colony. -
Mayflower Compact Written
A written agreement composed by the settlers arriving at New Plymouth. Was drawn up with fair and equal laws, for the general good of the settlement and with the will of the majority. -
Petition of Right
Document prepared by Parliament and signed by King Charles I of England. It challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and declared that even the monarch was subject to the laws of the land -
English Bill of Rights
A document written by Parliament and agreed on by William and Mary of England. It was designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs. -
Albany Plan of Union
A plan propsed by Benjamin Franklin that aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade, military and other purposes. The plan was turned down by the Colonies and the Crown. -
American Revolution
The 13 colonies joined together to break free from the British empire. It ended in 1776 and the United States of America became a nation. -
Stamp Act
A law that required the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and on newspapers. The Stamp Act Congress marked the first time a significant number of colonies had joined to oppose British government. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists were unhappy because of Britain's tax and trade policies. Colonists showed their resentment and anger by completely evading the laws. Mob violence erupted at several ports and many colonists supported a boycott of English goods. British troops in Boston fired into a crowd and killed 5 people. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded three tea ships in the Boston Harbor. They dumped the ships cargo into the sea to protest British control of the tea trade. -
Intolerable Acts
Parliament passed another set of laws to punish the Colonists for the troubles in Boston. These laws known as the Intolerable Acts in America, prompted widespread calls for a meeting of the colonies. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia, For nearly 2 months the members discussed the situation and debated plans for action. They sent a Decleration of Rights, protesting Britains colonial policies to King George III. -
Second Continental Congress
Congress met in Philadelphia. John Hancock was chosen president of the Congress. The Continental Army was created and George Washington was the commander-in-chief. Second Continental Congress became the nations first national government. -
Decleration of Independence
A proclomation of Independence. It was largely the work of Thomas Jefferson. Proclaimed the existence of the new nation. The 13 colonies became free and independent states. -
Articles of Confederation
Established a firm league of friendship among the States. Each state kept its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. States came together for their common defense, the security of their liberties and their mutual and general welfare. -
Shay's Rebellion
Property holders began to lose their land and possessions for lack of payment on taxes and other debts. Daniel Shay led an armed uprising that rorced several state judges to close their courts. -
Constitution Convention
Congress called upon the states to send delegates to Philadelphia. The meeting was an assembly to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, but evolved into creating an entirely new government that would derive its power from a constitution. -
Connecticut Compromise
Agreement during Constitutional Convention that Congress should be composed of a Senate, in which states would be represented equally and a House, in which representation would be based on State's population -
Philadelphia Convention
Addressed problems in governing the United States. George Washington was the President of the Convention. A new constitution was adopted for America.
