Government

Magna Carta

Aug 24, 1215

Magna Carta is Latin for Great Charter. This document developed the legal system in England.

Jamestown settled

May 14, 1607

This was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States of America.

Mayflower Compact written

Nov 21, 1620

This compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. This ensured peace between the two groups coming to America and became a foundation for our democratic government today.

Petition of Right

Mar 17, 1628

An English document that said people had certain rights that the king could not take away. These rights were produced by the English Parliment.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 15, 1689

The long name is An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown. This bill showed that the king recognized that Parliament was the dominant politcal authority.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

This was proposed by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress. It was an early attempt to join to colonies under one union and government.

Stamp Act

Nov 1, 1765

This act helped raise revenue by putting a tax on all documents in the form of a stamp.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

A confrontation between the British and citizens of Boston which led to the killing by the British soldiers of 5 innocent civilians.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 23, 1773

This was a demonstration by citizens of Boston disguised as Indians. They raided British ships and dumped cases of tea to protest the taxes there were on tea at the time.

Intoleralbe Acts

Mar 24, 1774

This was a responce to Boston from the Parliament. It punished Boston for resisting Parliamentary authority.

First Continental Congress

Jul 1, 1774

The meeting in Pennsylvania of twelve of the thirteen delegates from the original American colonies.

American Revolution begins

Apr 19, 1775

War between America and Great Britian begins.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This was a meeting of all delegates from the 13 colonies to discuss independence and to discuss independent government.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This was the document recorded by the second continental congress asserting independce from Great Brittian.

Shays Rebellion

Jan 25, 1787

A rebellion of Springfield Massacheusettes led by Daniel Shays. He got together the debt-ridden farmers to make an uprising against the government.

Constituion Convention

May 25, 1787

The meeting of the people who drafted the constitution.

Connecticut Compromise

Jun 29, 1787

This was decided so that our government would be bicameral.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 4, 1789

This was an agreement between the thirteen original colonies saying that the central government has no coercive power over the states and their citizens.

Philadelphia Convention

Jun 17, 1856

Took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss problems with the government.