APGov 10/1

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

In defiance to King John of England, colonists wrote this set of 63 laws which not even the king could violate. The colonists agreed that the rule of the king infringed upon the rights of the people, and created this first big step towards the end of monarchy in Britain and to idea of democracy.

Jamestown settled

Oct 2, 1607

In Virginia, this colony settled to name its capital where malaria originated and killed hundreds of people. The settlers chose the location because of it's surrounding waters which defended against the British, although its conditions were swampy and unsuitable for a perfect settlement.

Mayflower Compact written

Nov 11, 1620

This document was the first written enactment of the Plymouth colony, by separatists whom were escaping religious persecution from the king. It allowed for the seed of independence to grow into a set of rules needed to amend the articles of confederation.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

This petition was written for and against the non-Parliamentary taxation of the people in England, and still exists in the United Kingdom today.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 2, 1689

This bill enforced limits on the powers of sovereign and states that freedom of speech is allowed in elections without fear of persecution by the monarch.

Albany Plan of Union

Oct 2, 1754

Written by Ben Franklin, this significant plan set the foundation for uniting the colonies under one government in order to support and defend each other.

The American Revolution

Oct 2, 1763

Marked the final defiance of the British and formed a peace treaty which settled any disputes after the war. The 13 colonies over the rule of Washington won the battle at Saratoga.

Boston Massacre

Oct 2, 1770

Dispute over propaganda in Boston, Hugh White struck a man over the head, then troops on both sides started firing and a British man was killed. Five others were killed and six were wounded; this was simply drastic turn of events and is seen as a "propaganda war."

Boston Tea Party

Oct 2, 1773

British-American colonists refused to be taxed by any other leader than their elected representative. The Tea Act taxed the simple tea product which colonists felt infringed upon their right to be taxed by an elected leader.

First Continental Congress

Oct 2, 1774

Called in response to the intolerable acts such as the Boston Tea Party which punished the offenders. The congress was met by 12 British North-American colonies to discuss boycotting British trade and to petition King George for the colonies' distrust in their monarch.

Intolerable Acts

Oct 2, 1774

Series of laws enacted by the Parliament of Great Britain which took the rights away from American colonists and led to outrage and resistance against the British.

Stamp Act

Oct 2, 1774

Direct tax imposed on specifically on colonies of British America in order to allow paper documents, newspapers, and magazines to be printed for legal use. The purpose of the tax was to help pay for troops stationed in North America after the British victory in the preceding war.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Amended the original constitution, further validating the Magna Carta and the Articles of Confederation with better language because of the intolerable acts which caused dispute over the laws.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This document declared the independence of the 13 states from Great Britain. Abe Lincoln said that the principles stated within the declaration should be intepreted by the constitution.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

This event of wounding many and killing 4 was brought about by the post-economic depression and tax debt, caused by a dwindling government that needed to be reinforced and amended. It proved that the constitution needed to be fixed and allowed proper resolution to America's ideas toward taxes.

Constitutional Convention

May 2, 1787

Originally intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, the representatives of 12 of the 13 states met in Philedelphia. Hoever, they ended up writing an entire new set of laws and principles which we now know as the Constitution

Philadelphia Convention

May 14, 1787

Amended the Articles of Confederation to apply absolute freedom for British and American colonists. The representative of the 12 colonies met to discuss the need for a constitution.

The Articles of Federation

Oct 2, 1789

The first evidence of forming a unified group of states in the early years of our country, written by John Dickinson with insight from the other leaders. These articles were significant because it set the foundation of friendship between the states in order to allow independent freedom and sovereignty.