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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
More information on Magna CartaThe Magna Carta made kings and their subjects follow the customs of feudal law. This document was signed by King John. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was drafted to prevent dissent amongst puritans and pilgrims. -
Petition of Rights
The petition of rights restricted non-parliamentary taxation, forced billrting of soldiers, imprisonment without judt cause, and the use of martial law. It was signed by Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights lays down limits on the powers of sovereigns, sets out the rights of Parliment, freedom of speech, regulate elections, and right to petition. This Bill of rights reestablished the liberty of Pretestants to have arms for their defence. The bill was presented to William and Mary by Convention Parliament in March 1689. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. It was suggested by representatives from 7 of the British North American colonies. The plan never actually happened. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war, also known as the Seven Years War, was mainly between Great Britain and France. Major battles from this war include Battle of Quebec and Battle of Quiberon Bay. After the end of the French and Indian War, the colonies and the British started growing apart. The colonies no longer needed the British protection. -
King George III takes power
King George III took the throne in 1760. He succeed his grandfather, King George II. King George the third is most commonly known as the King who lost America. After the French and Indian War, King George imposed large taxes to get out of debt. This caused the colonies to push for independence and the Revolutionary Wat began on April 19, 1775. The colonies then declared independence on July 4th, 1776. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was one of the main taxes imposed on colonists after the Seven Years War. The Stamp Act taxed every printed paper used including; ship papers, legal documents, licencens, newspapers, other publications, even playing cards were taxed. Colonists insisted that the act was unconstitutional because it had been decided by Parliment without the colonies having representation. The colonists resorted to mob violence to intimidate tax collectors. -
Boston Massacre
More information on the boston massacre
On the night of March 5, 1770 colonist five colonists were killed. They were killed by British soldiers trying to enforce the Townshend Acts. The colonists started throwing objects at the soldiers and one soldier opened fire. -
Boston Tea Party
In 1773 a group of colonists known as the Sons of Liberty boarded british ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. Englad punished the colony with the Intolerable Acts. -
First Continental Congress
In 1774 All of the colonies except Georgia sent deligates to Carpenters Hall in Philadelpia. Here a declaration of rights was drafted. -
Intolerable Acts
Started as a punishment for the boston tea party. Closed the Boston harbor to everything but British ships, Boston citizens had to house and feed British soldiers, British soldiers could not be tried in America, and there was no more self government allowed in Boston. -
Lexington and Concord
Conflict IgnitesLexington and Concord are a huge part in American history. These events are the beginning of our struggle in the Revolutionary War. They both started because General Gage, general of the British army, had a plan to come to Lexington and Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoat column. -
Second Continental Congress
Most people from the first continental congress showed up at the second one in Philadelphia once again.Here they managed the colonial war effort, and started bringing up thoughts of independance. -
Declaration of Independence
With the Revolutionary War in full swing, the push for independence from Britain was looking even better. In mid-July a commitee of five men including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin voted for Independence. They then signed the Declaration of Independence, mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the colonies first version of a constitution. It was replaced by the current Constitution of the United States. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty of Paris finally ended the Revolutionary War. The Continential Congress named five men to negotiate the treaty. The five men were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. Because of the treaty the United States gained all territory betwwen the Allegheny Mountains on the East and the Mississippi River on the West. Also, the British finally recognized the Declaration of Indenepence. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, At the Annapolis Convention, delegates from five states called for a constitutional convention in order to discuss possible improvements to the Articles of Confederation. However, Rhode Island boycotted the convention and refused to ratify it.
