Early American History

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

Required King John to proclaim certain liberties.

Jamestown settled

May 13, 1607

It was the first successful English colony in the New World settled in Virginia.

Mayflower Compact written

Jan 1, 1620

First set of laws written by English settlers on the way to the new world.

Petition of Right

May 1, 1628

Major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 6, 1689

Gave ability to declare acts of royalty illegal, such as going against the Magna Carta.

Albany Plan of Union

Jan 1, 1754

Conflict between England and France to see who would control North American continent. Lasted from 1756-1763.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

Required taxes on stamps, documents, newpapers, any other paper item.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

5 civilians killed after British Redcoats discharged their muskets during a riot in Boston.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Colonists threw tea into the Boston Harbor to rebel against the British government for the taxing of tea.

Intolerable Acts

Apr 22, 1774

Phrase used to describe the 5 acts that Britain had imposed on American colonies after the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Was a convention of delegates that met in response to the Intolerable Acts. They met in Carpenters Hall in Phiadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Constituation Convection

Sep 7, 1774

See Philadelphia Cnvention

American Revolution begins

Apr 19, 1775

The shot heard round the world began the battle of Concord and continued fight against British.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Started managing the war effort, drafted Declaration of Independence, was a sort of governmental group for the time being.

Articles of Confederation

Jun 1, 1776

Was the first constituation of the United States. Talked about how the federal government would operate and was the adopation of the name United States of America.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Announced that the thirteen colonies were official states independent of Britain.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

Farmers disapproving of taxes lead attacks to prevent government from foreclosing their land.

Philadelphia Covention

May 25, 1787

Representatives joined to discuss Articles of Confederation, and ended up with the new U.S. Constitution.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

Created Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan giving Congress the Senate and House of Reps.