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1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is important due to its recognition of limited power in government. It insured personal liberties and a trial by jury. It is a major root of government and is the idea behind the 5th and 7th amendment. -
Period: 1215 to
Causes of the American Revolution Timeline Project- Aubrie Sandburg
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Jamestown Founded
Jamestown is important because it was the first successful, permanent English settlement in the colonies. It gave hope that it was possible to settle in the New World. They chose this peninsula for its accessibility to water, deep waters for ships, and easy to defend. John smith is credited for keeping this colony alive by threatening settlers with “He that will not work, shall not eat!” -
Virginia House of Burgesses
This was the first legislative body in the New World. It gave settlers the opportunity to control the government through a representative government. This was a major root of government, and colonist were to elect their officials or representatives. -
Mayflower Compact
This signing brought an aspect of Democracy to the colonies. This social contract was made by men who promised to obey laws and rules they made together for the better of the colonies. This practice of self government was one of the main reasons it is an important root of government. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
This was the first written constitution in the colonies. Men created laws and rules for how the colony would be run and ruled. The power was not given to the colony itself, but the towns inside. -
Navigation Acts
These were law made by England to keep the colonies trading in order. It declared that the colonists could only conduct business or trades on English or colonial ships and things like tobacco, sugar, timber, and cotton could only be traded with England. It also declared a tax had to be put on goods before trading with other countries. These rules were not much enforced the first few years. -
English Bill of Rights
This document declared that laws were made by parliament, and not the king or queen. Trial by jury was insured, and it outlawed cruel and unusual punishment. -
Zenger Trial
This trial established freedom of press. John peter Zenger was arrested for publishing something he believe was true. In court, Andrew Hamilton claimed all people have the right to publish the truth. This inspired part of the 1st Amendment. -
French and Indian War/ Seven Years War
A war fought with French and Native Americans fighting against the colonist and England. They both were claiming the Ohio River valley and finally settled whose it was. French began to win, but once funding was increased for colonists, they won. Britain was left in debt and French was essentially “kicked out” of North America. -
Treaty of Paris
A document declaring Britain had everything in america east of the Mississippi River. This officially ended the war. France was basically kicked out of north america after this due to the land England and Spain claimed. -
Proclamation Line
A law passed by England after French and Indian war declaring that no colonists could settle past the Appalachian mountains, in their new territory. It also kicked out any colonists who had already settled there. This made colonists very angry, and they believed they fought for that land so they should settle on it. This was one of many reasons colonists began to rebel. -
Sugar Act
An act passed to get colonist to pay for the war using taxation. England put tariffs on sugar, molasses, and other shipped goods. This made colonist more angry because of raising taxes. -
Stamp Act
An act stating that every document had to contain a royal stamp. Also used to made colonists pay for the previous war. All colonist had to pay for royal stamp with SILVER coins. -
Quartering Act
This act was used to enforce the proclamation line on colonists. England sent soldiers to be housed by the colonists. They were forced to not only pay for their families, but the soldiers too! -
Townshend Act
This act placed even MORE tariffs on the colonists. These taxes were on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea. It also suspended the New York Assembly! -
Boston Massacre
A shooting in Massachusetts when colonist started a fight with red coats. Roughly 5 people killed during this event. This was published in newspapers to help get people to support revolution. Involved the first death of the Revolution. -
Tea Act
This act removed the Townshend Acts but kept the tax on tea, so England could prove they still had control. They believed they still had the right to tax colonists. In 1773, England gave all control of the tea trade in America to the British East India Company. -
Boston Tea Party
An event where the Sons of Liberty dressed as NAtive Americans and dumped crates of tea into the harbor. This was caused by resentment from the colonist to Britain for giving control away of the tea trade. British officials immediately wanted all men involved to be arrested. -
1st Continental Congress
A meeting men talked of banning ALL trade with England and colonist began to unite. Minutemen were created and housed. They also agree to meet 7 months later, but fighting had already begun before then. -
Intolerable Acts/ Coercive Acts
Acts published to punish the Massachusetts colony for the Boston Tea Party. This closed the Boston port and banned the Committee of Correspondence. It also allowed troops to be housed ANYWHERE and appointed General Gage to be the new governor of Massachusetts. The colonists hated the Coercive Acts so much they called them "Intolerable Acts." -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution. Red coats went to Lexington to arrest Sons of Liberty. When they arrived they met colonists refusing to put down their weapons. No one knew who shot first but battle stuck out. After, British soldier moved on to Concord to destroy military supplies. -
2nd Contiental Congress
The continuous meeting of the first continental congress where the same men got together 7 months later. Men agreed to form the “Continental Army” and made George Washington the leader of this. It also drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which was the last attempt at peace. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
A battle on Bunker hill when Colonists began to win the fight until they're an out of fuel. The British were then resupplied and won the battle. Although they lost, the colonist were only more encouraged to fight and had hope now. -
Common Sense Published
A book published by Thomas Paine stating his opinions and outlooks. It convinced many people in the colonies to support the war. It stated monarchies were corrupt and that England was not needed. -
Declaration of Independence
A document formally declaring the colonists independence from England. This was written by Thomas Jefferson, and it was drafted at the 2nd Continental Congress. 56 men in all signed it representing the colonies. -
Saratoga
This battle was the turning point in the revolution. Benedict Arnold defeats 8,000 British troops with his men in this battle. France signs treaties to ally the U.S. and Spain is supporting us as well. -
Valley Forge
A camp where men were stationed for the winter of 1777-1778. They found themselves at a lack of supplies.They endured harsh weather and bad conditions for our country. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first written constitution for the U.S. It was ratified by all colonies in 1781. It had many articles stating that each state remained independent. -
Yorktown
The battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the revolution. The British were surrounded by American and French troops and was forced to surrender. This cause Britain to lose all hope after losing this battle. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
A formal treaty recognizing the United States as an independant nation. U.S. boundaries went all the way to the Mississippi river and the south the Spain! This document officially ended the war.
