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Period: Feb 2, 1200 to
Revolutionary Period
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Feb 2, 1215
Magna Carta
The Great Charter signed to limit the powers of the English King. Also guaranteed certain fundamental rights. -
Petition of Right
A major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. The petition contains restrictions on non- Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law. -
Albany Plan of Union
Plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. The plan was never carried out, but it was the first important proposal to concieve of the colonies as a collective whole united under one governement. -
Boston Massacre
The killing of five colonists by British regulars. It was the culmination of tensions in American colonies that has been growing since Royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts to enforce the heavy tax burden. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists protest thirteen years of increasing British oppression by attacking merchant ships in Boston Harbor. Protestors boarded the ships and threw the chests of tea into Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met on September 5 to October 26, 1774 at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discussed an economic boycott of British trade; rights and grievances; and petitioned King George III for redress of those grievances. -
Second Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies. This congress became America's first national government from 1776- 1781. -
Declaration of Independence
Established a new nation, calling it the United States of America. Described the independence of the new nation and how it will no further have connectioins with Great Britain. -
Article of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States. A document that was signed by the thirteen original colonies establishing the US as a confederation of sovereign states. -
Shay's Rebellion
An armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led a group of rebels in rising up first against Massachusetts' courts, and later in marching on the United States' Federal Armory at Springfield in an unsuccessful attempt to seize its weaponry and overthrow the governement. -
Philadelphia Convention
Took place to address problems in governing the United States of America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from Great Britain. The Convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the actual intention was to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. -
Virginia Plan
A proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch. The plan was drafted by James Madison. -
New Jersey Plan
A proposal for the structure of the United States Government. The plan was created in response to the Virginia Plan, which called for two houses of Congress. -
English Bill of Rights
Required free elections and was was written as an act in Parliament. Guaranteed many basic rights such as due process and trial by jury, to all English citizens.
