Constitution Timeline

By brittakneeg
  • Jun 1, 1215

    Signing of the Magna Carta

    The Magna Carta was a document where the barons forced King John to sign in order to attempt to keep him from abusing his power. The term "Magna Carta" comes from the Latin words "Great Charter". It was known as "one of the most important documents of Medieval England." (http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/magna_carta.htm) The barons made him sign this document because he stopped following the feudel system; he stopped asking the barons about raising taxes but instead doing them himself, etc.

  • Signing of the Mayflower Compact

    Mayflower LinkThis document was signed at anchor in Provincetown Harbor, because of people who felt that since they had no actual government in place, they didn't have to stay with the colony or work for them. "The Mayflower Compact attempted to temporarily establish that government until a more official one could be drawn up in England that would give them the right to self-govern themselves in New England." Some say it is even the base of the Constitution.

  • Formation of the New England Confederation

    The reason they formed the New England Confederation were for several reasons: trade, boundary, and religious problems, and to protect themselves from Dutch, Indian, and French attacks. It was ment to be made for Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Haven, and Plymouth. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/411437/New-England-Confederation)

  • The announcement of the Albany Plan Union

    This announcement was made by Benjamin Franklin in Albany, New York, in 1754 during the Albany Congress. It was used during the French and Indian war to make a union between the colonies (or at least try to). It was also used to help form the Articles of Confederation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_Plan)

  • Start Of The French and Indian War

    The French and Indian war was a war against the French and British, French allies being the Native Americans. The British had the colonist fight for them, and the war resulted with the British capturing Quebec, and taking most of the French land in North America.

  • Treaty Of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris was used to end the French and Indian war as well as the Seven Years' War. It was used to bring together Great Britain, Spain, and France.

  • Royal Proclamation

    King George the third made this Royal Proclamation, which created boundaries between the east side of the Appalachian Mountains and the west. It also said that colonists were not allowed to settle on the west side, causing major conflicts.

  • Sugar Act

    Parliament was forced to reduce the cost of sugar and molasses in the Stamp Act because of "corruption" made by colonists. But they also taxed other things, such as coffee, wines, etc.

  • Stamp Act

    An act passed by Parliament, forcing colonists to pay a tax on any sort of paper they used. The tax money was used to pay for the cost of soldiers during the French and Indian war, for "protecting the colonist".

  • Stamp Act Congress

    Meetings held between the 7th and the 25th in New York City, where representatives from colonies met about getting rid of Britain's taxes.

  • Townshend Acts

    The Townshend Acts were four acts passed by Parliament as to stop the colonists from trying to self-govern themselves. They were used to make money for the British.

  • Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre was when British soldiers killed 5 and injured 6 colonists. The colonists were throwing snowballs at the soldiers, when an officer "accidentley" signed them to shoot.

  • Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party was when the Sons of Liberty, enraged by the tax on tea, dressed up as native american's, boarder one of the ships, and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. It was known as a "political protest".

  • First Continental Congress

    A meeting in Carpenters' Hall, delegates from 12 colonies met to start a boycott against British goods. Also called for the Second Continental Congress.

  • "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Speech

    Patrick Henry said his speech when presenting a proposal to set up volunteer cavalries in every Virginia county. He ended his proposal with the line "Give me liberty or give me death!".

  • Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

    Dr. Joseph Warren sent Paul Revere to warn people of the British troops coming, and to get to Lexington, MA, to tell Samuel Adams and John Hancock of this as well. He arrived in Lexington at midnight.

  • Battles of Lexington and Concord

    Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution, Although the regulars defeated the colonists in Lexington, they were outnumbered in in Concord.

  • Fort Ticonderoga

    British troops were caught off guard by colonists, and they were able to capture the fort.

  • Second Continental Congress

    A meeting in Philadalphia, Pennsylvania, where delegates discussed independence. They used the Declaration of Independence which was passed on July 4, 1776. They also ratified the Articles of Confederation, and changed into the Congress of Confederation.

  • Battle of Bunker Hill

    The Battle of Bunker Hill was during the American Revolution. It took place in Boston, where the British, although able to get the colonists to retreat, lost more casualties.

  • Common Sense

    "Common Sense" was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, used to show the colonist's side of the American Revolution, and how they should be freed from Great Britain.

  • British evacuate Britain

    George Washington was able to successfully force the British troops to leave Boston when setting up cannons on Dorchester Heights.

  • Declaration of Independence Announcement

    The first announcement of the Declaration of Independence was on June 28th, 1776, when John Hancock brought drafts to the Committee of Congress.

  • Washington Captures Trenton

    Washington and troops crossed the Delaware river, capturing Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey, serving a big win for the Continental Army.

  • British defeated at Saratoga

    In the battles of Saratoga, the Coninental Army was able to defeat John Burgoyne's British army in New York, who was forced to retreat.

  • Signing of the Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation was the first sort of "Constitution" for the United States. It was proposed by John Dickinson on July 12, 1776. Although they had major changes, they still used these articles. All 13 states signed it (final make in 1781 when Maryland signed) and was used up until March 4, 1789. (http://www.barefootsworld.net/aoc1777.html)

  • Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

    Valley Forge was where they held the military camp in the winter of 1777-1778, training the Continental Army European warfare style.

  • John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis

    John Paul Jones commanded the Bonhomme Richard, a warship which battled the Serapis, a British warship. Captain Pearson, commander of Serapis, eventually surrendered.

  • Benedict Arnold's plans found out

    Arnold, who was working for the colonists in the American Revolution, was found to be helping the British, showing them plans of the Continental Army. He was found out in September, 1780.

  • Cornwallis Surrenders

    The British Cornwallis surrenders to the Continental Army (with help of French forces) in the Battle of Yorktow, one of the last major battles of the American Revolution.

  • Newburgh Conspiracy

    The Newburgh Conspiracy was when the Continental Army was angered because they hadn't been paid for their time in the war, and had sent demands to congress regarding their anger. Congress was only able to give them a fraction of the money they were promised, and although their were riots and such, once the army was able to go home there wasn't much word about it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newburgh_Conspiracy)

  • "Crisis"

    "Crisis" is pamphlets that was published by Thomas Paine during the American Revolution, used to argue for independence from England.

  • Signing of the Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris was used to end the American Revolutionary War (Britain vs. U.S). Representing the U.S, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay signed. For Britain, David Hartley signed. Also note that the U.S got a generous amount of "enlarged boundaries." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1783))

  • Spain closes the Mississippi River

    Since Spain wasn't part of the Treaty of Peace, they closed all other countries using the Mississippi River, and were "exposed to process and confiscation" if using the river. This clearly led to a problem and over the years Spain became good friends with the U.S and eventually made an agreement, although still having limitations. (http://www.sonofthesouth.net/texas/free-navigation-mississippi-river.htm)

  • Land Ordinance of 1785

    "Law passed by Congress that allowed for sales of land in the Northwest Territory and set up standards for land sale that became precedents. Among them was the idea of selling mile-square sections of land." The Land Ordinance was used so people could sell their land to others. (http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/landordinance1785def.htm) (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Ordinance of Religious Freedom

    The Ordinance of Religious Freedom was made by Jefferson, saying that no one was to be forced to choose a certain religion and couldn't be made fun of for their religion/couldn't make fun of others. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Shays' Rebellion

    Daniel Shays, who used to be a Revolutionary War Captain, started a mob (mostly ex veterans/bankrupt farmers) who went to courts to stop tax and debt collection. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays'_Rebellion) (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Annapolis Convention

    The Annapolis Convention was a meeting for a constitutional convention. People were dissatisfied with the Articles of Confederation (Alexander Hamilton having a large role). "12 delegates from five states (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia)" called for this meeting. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapolis_Convention_(1786))

  • Northwest Ordinance of 1787

    The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 transformed territories into states, aswell as making 3-5 states as part of the original 13 and came with it's on "Bill of Rights" which "guarantees freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, public education and a ban on slavery in the Northwest." (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Constitutional Convention

    A man named Roger Sherman suggested that the representation of the House of Representatives was according to the population of the state but the there was equal representation when it came to the states in the Senate; also southern slaves are counted as three/fifths. They also make a rough draft of the Constitution. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Agreement to the Great Compromise

    In the agreement of the Great Compromise was when we agreed to elect people based on population, have proportional respresentation, and Southern states counted each slave as 3/5 of a person.

  • Constitution sent to the States for ratification

    On September 28th, 1787, Congress needs nine states to approve the Constitution, so sends it to State legislatures to be ratified.

  • Federalist Papers Appear

    The Federalist Papers are 85 published papers that were made for ratification in approval of the Constitution. It was written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Delaware Ratifies

    Delaware is the first state to ratify the Constitution. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Anti-Federist Articles Appear

    John Adams and John Hancock "favor a more decentralized system of government". After a compromise that the amendments will have civil liberties, they agree to ratification of the Constitution. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Massachusetts Ratifies Constitution

    Mass. ratifies the Constitution on February 7, 1788. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm) "In the ratifying convention of Massachusetts there was strong opposition to those clauses of the Constitution11, 61, 121 which made concessions to slavery. And there was dislike of the clause136 forbidding a religious test for the person holding office." (http://www.barefootsworld.net/constit9.html)

  • New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution

    New Hampshire ratified the constitution in June 21st, 1788. "was the Ninth State to Ratify the Constitution,
    thereby forever establishing the union of States as a Constitutional Republic" (http://www.barefootsworld.net/constit9.html , http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Congress meets for the 1st time

    The new Constitution's Congress met for the first time in NYC's Federal Hall. They set up the rules of the Senate and House. They also set up Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, implementing the new system. (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/treasures_of_congress/text/page2_text.html)

  • George Washington elected President

    With a unaminous vote of 69, George Washington is elected as president in the Senate from the ballots of February 4th. John Adams is elected vice president. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Bill of Rights sent to the states for Ratification

    Congress makes 12 ammendments to be ratified. 10 of them are used for the Constitution as the Bill of Rights. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-nation.htm)

  • Virginia and Kentucky Reolutions

    Kentucky was written by Jefferson, Vriginia by Madison. Stated that these states have the right not to follow unconstitutional laws.

  • Bill of Rights Ratified

    The Bill of Rights which are the first ten ammendments of the Constitution are ratified when Virginia is the 11th state to ratify them. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights#Ratification_process)

  • Hartford Convention meets

    Delegates wanted to end the war so they decided to meet inHartford, CT.

  • Missouri Compromise

    A compromise used to make an equal number of slave and non-slave states. Create the 36-30 line, which meant any territory north of it was free.

  • Tariff Of Abominations

    Was used to protect Northern businesses that were being put out of business by cheaper imported goods. Put a tax on these imported goods.

  • South Caroline tries to nullify

    South Carolina tried to create a nullified law which Henry Clay was able to compromise with the,m stopping their efforts.

  • Abolition of Slavery Act

    An act made in the 1830's by Britain, abolishing any type of slavery in the United Kingdom.

  • Texas Declares Independence from Mexico

    Texas seperated from Mexico, forming their own declaration of independence.

  • James Polk elected

    Polk was elected as president in 1844, beatig opponent Henry Clay and becoming the 11th president of the US. Also was president during/started the Mexican-American war.

  • Mexican War

    President Polk sent Taylor to lead troops to the Rio Grande, where the Mexican commander attacked the Americans, leading Polk to declare war on Mexico. Was caused because Mexico wouldn't give up Texas.

  • Wilmot Proviso

    Was made to declare that slavery would not exist in any territory gained by the Mexican-American war.

  • California Enters the Union

    After the Mexican-American war, California was part of the land the US gained.California came in as a free state.

  • Fugitive Slave law enacted

    This law stated that it was illegal for people to help slaves escape or to not tell/hand in run away slaves.

  • Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Hsrriet Beecher Stowe, was a book to show what the life of a slave was actually like.

  • Kansas-Nebraska Act passed

    The Kansas-Nebraska Act repelled the Missouri Compromise, where there is no longer the 36-30 line, and popular sovereignty was put into place.

  • Formation of Republican Party

    The Republican party was formed by people who did not want the Kansas-Nebraska Act or the Missouri Compromise. They got help in their creation by writings of people like Horale Greely.

  • Charles Sumner

    Preston Brooks, whose uncle was targeted by Sumner's speeches, attacked Sumner with a cane.

  • Pottawatomie Creek

    John Brown attacked and killed 5 southerners of Pottawatomie creek in response to the attack on Lawrence.

  • Dred Scott Decision announced

    After the Dred Scott decision was made, the US supreme court made it so that all the territories in the US had slavery legal.

  • Lecompton Constitution Passed

    Voters chose between limited and unlimited slaver for Kansas. Was never passed, Kansas came to the union as a fee state.

  • Lecompton Constitution

    A Kansas consitiution, written as a "rival document" by slaveowners.

  • Lincol-Douglas debates

    Running for Senate in Illionios, although Douglas won, Lincoln became recognized for his speaking ability in debates, which helped him win the election of 1860.

  • Raid of Harpers Ferry

    John Brown and followers raided Harpers Ferry, VA, to stop slavery. They were soon caught, and John Brown executed.

  • Black Codes

    The Black Codes were codes causing African-Americans to sign contracts that tricked them into slavery-like jobs/acts.

  • 1860 Democratic National Convention

    Caused a lot of slavery issues; those who were pro-slavery, anti-slavery, and those who just didn't want to start an issue all had their differences.

  • Constitutional Union Party

    People who didn't want disunion because of slavery.

  • Election of 1860

    In 1860, Abraham Lincoln, running against John Breckenridge, Stephen Douglas, and John Bell, won. This election caused the start of the Civil War.

  • Presidential Election of 1860

    This was President Abraham Lincoln's first run/win as President. It was against John Breckinridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas.

  • Formation of Constitutional Union Party

    The Constitutional Union Party was made up of those who opposed disunioncaused by slavery (Whigs/Former Democrats).

  • 10% Plan

    Lincoln offers a 10% plan for the South to come back into the Union; 10% of their people had to take an oath of allegiance to enter the Union and was meant to offer peace & make the war shorter.

  • Wade-Davis Bill

    Was like the 10% plan, a plan giving permission to Southern states entering the Union on certain degrees; Ironclad oath being on of them.

  • Lincoln Re-Election

    On November 8th, 1864, Lincoln was re-elected as President of the United States. He won against George B. McClellan.

  • Ku Klux Klan Created

    Made at the end/after the Civil War, intended to be used to hurt African-Americans/white republicans. Tormented, humiliated, and killed them.

  • Freedmen's Bureau

    This government agenct was formed to aid distrressed freed slaves.

  • Last Ntn'l Troops Leave SC

    The 54th Massachusetts Regiment, after the Confederate forces leave Charleston, march through the city on February 21st, 1865.

  • Andrew Johnson

    Andrew Johnson went in as President after Abraham Lincoln's assassination (was the vice president). Not a strong leader.

  • Lincoln's Assassination

    Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14th, 1865 in a theater.

  • 13th Amendment Ratified

    One of the Reconstruction Amendments to protect those from slavery/involuntary servitude in the U.S.

  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Was used to help protect rights of African-Americans. Gives eqquality to citizens.

  • Reconstruction Acts

    Was used to readmit the states that used to be Confederate. Included things such as "five military districts in the South, each commanded by a general."

  • 14th Amendment Ratification

    The 14th Amendment, ratified on July 28th, 1868, was to "grant citizenship to 'all persons born or naturalized in the United States'". This included slaves who were free from the ending of the Civil War, and is used to gaurantee that states don't "deny any person 'life, liberty or property...etc'".

  • Ulysses S. Grant Presidency

    Starting off as a war hero in the Civil War, after Lincoln's assassination and Andrew Johnson's failure as a president, Ulysses ran, was elected in 1868 and became president in 1869.

  • 15th Amendment Ratification

    The 15th amendment was used to give citizens their right to vote, not depending on their race/color. This was a reconstruction amendment, and ratified on February 3rd, 1870.

  • Hiram Revels

    On February 23, 1870, Hiram was elected as a U.S. senator. He was a part of the Mississippi senate, and the "first person of color to serce the United States Senate, and in the U.S. Congress overall.

  • Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871

    The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 (also known as the Enforcement Act of 1871) was signed by Ulysses S. Grant on April 20, 1871. It used to protect African Americans being attacked by the KKK and groups like it.

  • Freedman's Bureau Abolished

    The Freedman's Bureau was made in order to aid U.S. Civil War refugees as well as controlling controversial/uncharted U.S. lands. It was created on March 3rd, 1865 and abolished June 28th, 1872.

  • Civil Rights Act of 1875

    The Civil Rights Act was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1st, 1875. It was made to have equal treatment in public places gauranteed for African-Americans.

  • Jim Crow Laws

    Jim Crow Laws started the segregation of public places (schools, bathrooms, etc.)

  • Rutherford B. Hayes Elected as President

    Rutherford ran for President at the end of the Reconstruction period. From Ohio, he ran against Samuel J. Tilden.

  • Civil Rights Act of 1875 Overturned

    The Civil Rights Act was found unconstitutional and violated the states' rights.

  • Plessy vs. Ferguson Case

    The Plessy vs. Ferguson case was a case when Plessy got on board the East Louisiana Railroad on a 'whites only' first class car. Being partially African-American and refusing to leave his seat to board the 'blacks only" car, he was arrested and was declined any argument used with the 14th amendement.
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