-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
It set down rights, such as no conviction without trial, protection of private property, and limits on taxes, which are the foundation for many constitutions of English speaking countries. It was signed by King John of England. -
Jamestown Settled
This was the first American colony to survive and become a permanent settlement in what is the United States today. -
Mayflower Compact
This was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Based upon the religious veiws of the Pilgrims. -
Petition of Right
This was a major English constitutional document that was passed by Parliament to prevent the king from infringing on the rights of the people. -
English Bill of Rights
This was presented by the Convention Parliament to William and Mary to lay out the limits on the powers of sovereign. It also established rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of petition. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was proposed by Benjamin Franklin to the Albany Congress in an attempt to unite the original colonies, as Franklin felt was necessary for defensive purposes in war. -
American Revolution begins
The revolution was a major political change in which the 13 colonies became united to escape British rule. -
Stamp Act
Tax imposed by the British Parliament on legal documents, magazines, newspapers and many other types of paper used throughout the colonies -
Boston Massacre
An incident in which five civilian men were killed by British redcoats. It was viewed as foreshadowing to the American Revolutionary War. -
Boston Tea Party
This event was an action by colonists in protest after a shipment of taxed tea was refused, by officials in Boston, to be sent back to Britain. They boarded the ship and destroyed the tea by throwing it into the Boston Harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
These were laws passed by British Parliament. The colonits saw these as a violation of their constitutional and natural rights. -
First Continental Congress
This was a convention of delegates, from the American colonies, that met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania early in the American Revolution. It made a compact for the colonies to boycott British goods. -
Second Continental Congress
A second convention of delegates from the American colonies that met soon after the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This congress was responsible for adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. -
Declaration of Independence
It announced the 13 American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and no longer under British rule. It was composed by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 delegates of the Continental Congress. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first constitution of the United States. They created a loose confederation of states and a weak central government. It was replaced by the current United States Constitution in 1789 -
Shays' Rebellion
This was an armed rebellion between New England farmers and merchants. It is named after one of the main rebels, Daniel Shays. It started in Massachusetts, spread elsewhere, and wound down in 1787 with the creation of the Constitution of the United States of America. -
Connecticut Compromise
This was an agreement between states during the Constitutional Convention. It established a bicameral legislature that is still the arrangement of the United States goverment today.
