-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Limitted the powers of the king, and required free men to be tried by the law of the land instead of the king's will. King john was forced to accept it by his subjects. -
Petition of Right.
Defines specific liberties that the king cannot infringe upon. It was agreed to by Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights.
Restated the limits on the authority of the monarchs. Spelled out the powers of rule granted to parlaiment. -
Albany Plan
Presented by Benjamin Franklin as a plan to unite the colonies under their own government. It was presented to, and denied by, the British government. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists assaulted a group of British soldiers. After being attack, the soldiers fired on the mob, killing five. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists destroyed three shiploads of tea. Was due to protests against the Tea Act and Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson, who refused to return the shipments to Britain. -
First Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the original colonies. Discussed ways to resist British rule. -
Second Continental Congress
Met in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania. Created the Declaration of Independance. -
Declaration of Independence
Declared that the original states were no longer part of the British Empire. A written justification of their rebellion, listing grievances against the king. -
Articles of Confederation.
The first constitution of the United States. Was replaced in 1789 by the current Constitution. -
Shays' Rebellion
An armed uprising in which a private army was assembled. Defeated at an assault on the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. -
Philidelphia Convention
A meeting at which the American government was designed. Presided over by George Washington. -
Virginia Plan
Presented as a possibility for the US government at the Philidelphia Convention. Favored states with a large population. -
New Jersey Plan.
Presented at the Philadelphia Convention as a possible model for the US government. Focused primarily on non-population-based power.
