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1215
Magna Carta
This was the beginning of parliament which was a step toward limited government. This gave the King less power over the British citizens. Most things couldn't be done by just kings decision now taxation would only be allowed by nobles. The king couldn't take your property and would have a trial by jury of your peers. -
Jamestown
The Jamestown colony found in 1607 in Virginia. This was the first ever successful colony and permanent. The settlement was financed by the Virginia company. -
Virginia house of burgesses
This was a big change to Virginia. It gave male landowners the right to vote for representatives that would make local laws and decisions. This system was also the first democratically elected legislative body in Colonies. -
mayflower compact
The Mayflower compact was a social contract established by the puritan. This was established in 1620 in their arrival in the new world. Was the first form of self government in the colonies. Was drafted and signed aboard the Mayflower. -
fundamental orders of Connecticut
Men in the colony got together and signed The Fundamental Orders. This is known as the first ever written constitution in North America. The fundamental orders would be men that have created laws, rules and orders for how the colony would be run. -
Navigation acts
Did not allow colonist to create their own factories. Had extremely restrictive trade laws. Could only conduct business on English or colonial made ships. These trade regulations were not enforced for decades meaning it was a safe haven for smugglers and pirated. -
English Bill Of Rights
Were rights that were protected by the jury. The bill of rights outlawed cruel and unusual punishments. These laws were created by parliament. -
Zenger trial
John Peter Zenger criticized the governor of New York for fixing an election. He was later put in jail for his actions. At the trial Andrew Hamilton he said people had the write or to speak the truth. Zenger was later released by the jury. -
French and Indian War 1754- 1763
The war began because of disputed territory that the french and the British both that they claimed. This territory was the Ohio river Valley. The french began the war winning then the due to increase of funding, British began to win. French were defeated and signed the treaty of Paris. -
treaty of Paris
Was signed after the lost of the French in the French and Indian war. This treaty Officially ended the war between the french and the British. Also gave British the territory west of the Appalachian mountains. -
proclamation line
This was proclamation said that the king has ordered colonist not to settle west the Appalachian mountains. Natives were happy since it was their land taken from them. Before the proclamation Natives attacked colonist to make them leave. -
sugar act
To get colonies to pay for the war they use taxation.Tariffs on sugar, molasses and other products that were shipped. James Otis said that taxation without representation is tyranny. -
stamp act
This act required all legal documents should have a official stamp showing that a tax has been paid. The British use this to cover the cost of the French and Indian war. The stamp would be paid for with silver. Colonist began to riot because of this. -
quartering acts
Enforced the proclamation line. Colonist also had to house soldiers in their homes or pay for them to be housed. Since the soldiers have to look over them they had to pay for their housings. -
Townshend acts
These acts suspended the New York assembly. england put tariffs on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea. The colonist began to boycott even more. -
Boston massacre
It began with townsmen and soldiers yelled insults. Then fight broke out in Boston leading to the death of 5 men. This also lead to the first death of an African American named Crispus Attucks. -
tea act
Kept the tea tax to prove that The British still have the right to tax the colonist. Many colonist were still mad over the tax on tea. The British also formally gave east India control of all tea trade in America. -
Boston tea party
Was a protest that was led by the sons of liberty. They dumped the British tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the tea act. This was a reaction to taxation without representation. -
intolerable acts
A series of acts because of the Boston tea party. The intolerable acts shut down the Boston port until the tea was paid for. They reconstructed the Massachusetts government and troops were quartered in Boston. Colonist were even more angry and began to boycott British goods. The first continental congress came because of this. -
1st continental congress
They decided to Ban all trade with England and repealed the intolerable acts. Each colony began to train minutemen, those who are ready in minutes notice. They also decided to meet back in may of 1775. -
battle of Lexington and concord
The first engagement between the colonies and the British soldiers. Known as the shot heard around the world. First revolutionary battle when British troops were sent to confiscate colonial weapons. The colonist have won the battle forcing the British to retreat. -
2nd continental congress
The congress has formed the continental army. They decided on making George Washington the leader of the army. He wanted no profit only to pay his expenses. Next they adopted the olive branch petition. This was the final attempt to stop a full war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle was fought on breeds hill where the colonist had made dirt mounds to protect themselves. The colonist start the battle strong killing many of the British men. They later run out of ammunition forcing colonist to retreat leading to the British's victory. This battle had made the colonist more confident by killing over 250 British men and over 115 colonist deaths. -
Common sense published
Was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. Many people had agreed with what he wrote. He said all monarchies are corrupt, England is too far to govern America. -
Declaration of Independence
A formal document declaring The colonies free from England. Was a list of grievances or complaints the colonist had and why they wanted their independence. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the declaration of independence. said that all men were created equal and had unalienable rights. -
valley forge 1777-1778
After taking a couple defeats, Washington took his mean to valley forge in the winter of 1777. Washington brought his men here to train them into a more professional army. The men here suffered from starvation and frostbite. -
Saratoga
Was known as the turning point in The American revolution. After the colonists victory France joined them and aided them. -
articles of confederation
Was the first shot at a constitution. Occurred at the second continental congress creating a new form of government. a congress including a representative from each colony where they addressed issues, financing for a war, power to negotiate treaties, and avoid the creation of a powerful executive. -
Yorktown
Was the last battle in the american revolution it was the last major battle. The Continental army won a decisive victory against the British army. The war ended with the surrender of Cornwallis gaining America its freedom. -
Treaty of Paris
The colonist independence is finally recognized. This treaty expanded the boundaries of the colonies to much more they had. They extended to Canada in the North, The Mississippi river in the west, and Florida in the south.
