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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta (The Great Charter)
Signed by King John by force in Runnymede. The reason behind this forced signing was that the people were tired of the arbitrary acts being commited by King John such as: heavy taxes and military campaigns. -
Jamestown Settled
This was the first successful settlement for North America, it was named after King James I, who was the king of England at the time. This settlement was founded in the colony of Virginia. -
Mayflower Compact was written
This was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, which basically established their new settlement in North America. It was written by the colonists who later became known as the pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. -
Petition of Right
Signed by Charles I, when he asked Parliament for more money in taxes and they refused. The petition put a limit on the kings power, espicially when it came to punishing citizens unjustly. -
The English Bill of Rights
This document was drawn up for (at the time) William and Mary Orange and all other future Monarchs of Britain. It prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with the consent of Parliament and required that all parliamentary election be free. Basically creating more freedom for the people . -
Albany Plan of Union
Proposed by Benjamin Franklin to create an annual congress of delegates to represent the 13 colonies. He wanted to form this group of representatives so that each colony would get represented equally. -
The Stamp Act
This was a new law set down by Parliment requiring the use of a taxed stamp on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and on newspapers. The passing of this law angered many colonists, they formed a protest and Parliament repealed it but frictions still mounted. (this began the constant rebel against Britain for their unjust treatments towards the new colonies) -
The Boston Massacre
This event began by about 50 citizens attacking a group of British soldiers resulting in many colonists deaths. This even was the start to the Revolutionary War, dividing us from Britain. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the colonist reaction to Tea Act being passed. They were not happy with the high taxes being placed upon their tea along with other traded goods. They were tired of Britain abusing their authority over the colonies. -
First Continental Congress
This was a meeting of the the ablest men from each of the 13 colonies, discussing what should be done about their situation with Britain. These delegates sent a Declaration of Rights protesting Britain's colonial policies to King George III. -
The Intolerable Acts
These acts were passed by Britains mainly to "punish" Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. Britains was trying to get back at the colonists for revolting against them, which only made the colonists strive for freedom stronger. -
American Revolution Begins
(The shot heard round the world) this was the beginning of the war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the thirteen colonies in North America. This was the start of the Americans gaining thier freedom. -
The Secound Continental Congress
Again this was a meeting of delegates from each of the 13 colonies trying to decide on what to do next about Britians control over us. This time era became know as the "shot heard round the world" because the battles of Lexington and Concord had been fought just 3 weeks prior to this meeting. -
The Declaration of Independence
This document, written by Thomas Jefferson and put together by all the delegates from the 13 colonies proclaimed the existence of a new nation. This document finally made us free from Britain and made us our own free nation. -
Articles of Confederation
established "a firm league of friendship" among the States. This document united the 13 colonies, leading to the "United States". -
Shay's Rebellion
This was a post-revolution clash between the New England farmers and merchants. They were challenging our States new government system, this outbreak spread through many other states but died down in 1787. -
The Philadelphia Convention
This event was also known as the "Consitutional Convention", this was held in Philadelphia in the same place the Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlyer. In this gathering our Fathers of America layed out the framing for our Federal Consitution. -
The Connecticut Compromise
(The Great Compromise) This was an agreement that Congress should be composed of two houses. In the smaller Senate, the states would be represented equally, and in the House the representation of each state would v]be based upon population. -
Constitution Convention
Also know as the "Philadelphia Convention", this was when government layed out future government rules/systems such as the Virgina Plan, the Constitution, and the Articles of Confederation.
