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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta forced King John to greatly decrease his power as King of England and allowed for the formation of parliament. This document was the first step toward English people's rights. -
Jamestown settled
First settled as "James Fort," this is the first, oldest, permanent settlement of what is now the United States. With deep waters to sail their ships, yet a secure enough location to keep away from attack of natives and Spanish, they settled here in hopes to establish the Virginia colony. -
Mayflower Compact
Written by the colonists, this was the first document used to govern Plymouth Colony. Many colonists wanted to freely practice Christianity, in which the compact was a social contract giving them their liberty. -
Petition of Right
In response to many perceived violations of the law by Charles I in thebeginning of his reign, the petition was written. Stating that confirmation of the principles that taxes can be changed only by Parliament, that martial law may not be imposed in time of peace, and that prisoners must be able to challenge the legitimacy of their detentions through the writ of habeas corpus. -
English Bill of Rights
Also known as, "An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown," this document was a small basis for the larger English law.Based on political violations, it stated rights that could not be taken away and this document can not be altered. -
Albany Plan of Union
Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, it was one of the first attemts to form the colonies together and under one single government. The plan was put forth in front of a committee to consider and debate the ideas, but it was quickly rejected. -
Stamp Act
This act was a direct tax that required a printed materials to be done on stamped paper through London. Magazines, newspapers, documents and any other paper was being unrightfully taxed. These items had to be paid for with British currency and not colonial money. This tax was issued to help support troops in North America. -
Boston Massacre
British troops were stationed to protect the strongly disliked government. With a mob forming, and tensions rising as civilians threw things at the soldiers, uncommanded fire was shot at random into the crowd. In this event, British redcoats killed five civilian men. -
Boston Tea Party
In resistance to the Tea Act, and British government and the East India company, after officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea. They threw it in the Boston Harbor. The colonists only wanted to be taxed fairly by their own representatives. -
First Continental Congress
Meeting at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, early in the American Revolution. The Congress contained 56 members appointed by the legislatures of twelve of the Thirteen Colonies. The Congress met to consider options, including an economic boycott of British trade, publishing a list of rights and grievances, petitioning King George III for redress of those grievance, and in response to the Intolerable Acts being passed. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts is a name given to a series of acts passed in 1774 in relation to the colonies, then followed by outrage and war. The First Continental Congress was established and then the Revolutionary War broke out soon after. -
Revolutionary War
With the dispute between the British Parliament wanting to unrightfully tax and people in the colonies rebelling, it soon broke out into the American Revolutionary War. France, Spain, and the Deutch supplied the colonies with ammunition and weapons early in 1776. After many battles and the Declaration being established, America became its own nation. -
Second Continental Congress
Shortly after the Revolutionary War, the Congress began to meet again. They managed the war effort, and moved towards independence, adopting Declaration of Independence. The Congress was very involved with the war by developing armies and strategies, and developing treaties also. -
Declaration of Independence
This document stated the original colonies independent and therefore at war with Britian. The Declaration reinforced any grievances against King George III and listed their natural rights. This would come to be one of the most important documents of American history. -
Articles of Confederation
These Articles were planned by the delegates after the Second Continental Congress in "a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States." The Articles legally made the United States a nation after it was ratified by all thirteen states. -
Shay's Rebellion
Named after Daniel Shay's, the battle lasted from 1786-1787. Due to rising financial difficulties, many people had been arrested leading to a private militia attack in Springfield. -
Philadelphia Convention
From May-September of 1787 the convention met to address the problems of the government within the United States. They were primarily meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation, when in turn they created a new government all together. At this time George Washington was elected to become President. -
Connecticut Compromise
This compromise was an agreement between large and small states that allowed proportional representation in the lower house, yet the upper house to be equally represented between all states.
