American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

First written rights of englishman and Constitution. Made law that no one is above the law.

Jamestown Settled

May 13, 1607

First permanent English colony in America. Leads to other colonies being formed in America. Form first government in the colonies called the House of Burgesses.

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

The Pilgrims had landed north of their patent grant but agree to stay in the New England area with said group staying together as one body. The Compact inspire many to come of Democracy.

Petition of Rights

Mar 17, 1628

In response to the king foreign policy the Parliament stop finacing King. King did force loans and quarter troops in houses. Parliament made a petition restricting the King power. Principle within this document inspire Americans.

English Bill of Rights

Feb 1, 1689

These were written to give supremacy to Parliament weaken King power. They inspire ideal of no excessive bail and encouragment of free speach.

Albany Plan of Union

Jun 19, 1754

First suggested by England a assembly was made from the colonies to talk about a union between the colonies. Even through it failed it started talk of key issues for unity to occur.

Stamp Act

Feb 17, 1765

First tax on colonies by England. Tax on all printed paper the money was to be used to paid for the colony defense. Colonies were anger by this for the precedence it set of not letting colonists have a say. Begining of American opposition to England.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Angery mob gain up against a sentry where additional British soldiers join him. Eventually ending with shots fired into the mob killing 5 men. The Massacre was populized by artisans and politicians to increase anti-british feelings.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Boston Sons of Liberty were angery about the tax on tea so they threw it overboard. This was a major defiance to English power leading to the Intolerable Acts.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

An attempt to force Boston to paid damage that occur in the Boston Tea Party and stricter laws on government and dues. This anger Americans eventually leading to war.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

It was formed in response to the closing of Boston Port. Delegates from 12 of the colonies came to resolved the issue as a united voice.

American Revolution begins

Apr 19, 1775

Revolution starts in Lexington, Mass. Orginally not fought for independce but developed into a fight of independence.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Establish Continental Army and Commander in Chief. Will create Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Broke Continental connections from England permanently. Set up basic American ideals and principles.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

Set up first US Constitution and federal government. Under the Confederation it was establish principle on how states were formed.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

Farmers rebel against government over debt from the revolution. Prove failure of Articles of Confederation begining talk of reform.

Constitution Convention

May 25, 1787

Wrote the US Constitution and discuss how to run the government properly. Begining of America government as we know it today.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

Form orignally to make amendments to the Article of Confederation. Change into a Constitutional Convention.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

The compromise between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan. Set up Congress like it is today.