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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
A group determined barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta- the Great Charter- at Runnymede in 1215. Weary of John's military campaigns and heavy taxes, the barons were seeking heavy protection. -
The Petition of Right
The Petition of Right limited the Kind's power. The document demanded that the kind no longer imprison, or other wise punish anyone but by the lawful judgement of his peers, or by the law of the land. -
The English Bill of Rights.
After years of revolt and turmoil , Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary of Orange. The English Bill of Rights prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with the concept of Parliament, and required that all elections were free. -
The Albany Plan of Union
The British Board of Trade called a meeting of seven of the northern colonies at Albany: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The purpose was to discuss the problems of colonial trade and the danger of attacks by the French and their Native American allies. -
Articles of Confederation.
The second Continental Congress appointed three committees in response to the Lee Resolution. On of the committees, created to determine the form of a confederation of the colonies, was composed of one rep. from each colony with John Dickinson, a delegate from Delaware, as the principal writer. -
Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence was to say why the colonies were leaving England. It basically said that the government has certain responsibilities to those being governed, and that the British government was not adhering to it's responsibilities to it's citizens to it's colonies. -
Virginia Plan
Called for a new government with three seperate bracnhes: legislative, executive, and judicial. -
Connecticut Compromise
Settled the conflict. It was agreed that the Congredss should be composed of two houses. It was so pivotal to the writing of the Consitution that it has often been called the Great Compromise. -
New Jersey Plan
Retained the unicameral congress of the confederation, with each of the states equally represented. It also called for a "federal executive" of more than one person. -
Constitution of the Untied States.
This is the nations fundamental law. It is the highest form of law in the U.S
Statemanship and compromise.
