AP Gov't Timeline

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

This was one of the earliest acnestors of the United States Constitution. This document was created in an attempt to limit the powers of the King of England by law and protect the subject's rights.

Jamestwon settled

Sep 30, 1607

The first permanent settlement for the English in America. It was located in Virginia.

Mayflower Compact Written

Sep 30, 1620

The first governing document in Plymouth Colony.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

This is an English constitutional document that sets specific liberties that the king cannot change. It contains non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

An act of the English Parliament. It limited the powers of the crown, it allowed freedom of speech in Parliament, the requirement for reelection in Parliament, and the right to petition the monarch without of fear of retribution.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 1, 1754

This was a proposal made by Benjamin Franklin. It suggested that the 13 colonies should have a unified government.

Stamp Act

Sep 30, 1765

This was an act made by the Parliament of Great Britain. It made an imposed tax that required many printed materials to be made on stamped paper.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This incident occured after a number of colonists started harrassing British troops. The troops ended up firing into the crowd, without orders, and instantly killed three men and injured many others. Two more men died from wounds later on.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

It was a protest agains the Tea Act. The protesters, some dressed like American Indians, dumped an entire shipment of tea from the East India Company into the Boston Harbor.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

This was a meeting between 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia was hoping for help from the British to take care of the American Indians) at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. They met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss possibly boycotting the British.

Intolerable Acts

Sep 30, 1774

These are laws made by the King of England after the Boston Tea Party in hopes to discourage the colonies from continuing their rebellion.

American Revolution begins

Apr 19, 1775

700 British troops march into Lexington looking for Patriot leaders, they are faced by 77 minutemen. After the "shot hear around the world" was fired by an undetermined gun, the war had begun.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This meeting took place during the American Revolution as well. The delegates managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This document is basically a formal explanation of why congress had declared independence from Great Britain.

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1777

This document was signed by all 13 colonies and served as America's first constitution.

Shay's Rebellion

Sep 30, 1786

This was an armed rebellion in Massachusettes. Daniel Shays led a rebellion against the government, and although it failed it had a large impact on our country. It made the government reconsider the extent of their powers.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

This meeting is also known as the Constitutional Convention. During this time the leaders discussed the problems in govering America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation since their independence.

Constitutional Convention

May 27, 1787

Took place in Pennsylvania to address problems in governing the United States.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

This defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the U.S. Constitution.