Early american government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta is a document that King John was forced to sign because it reduced the power he held as the King of England. The Magna Carta was to make the king govern by the old English laws from before the Normans.

Petition of Right

Sep 21, 1628

A document by King Charles that challenged the idea of divine right. It limited the Kings powers so he could pay taxes. He could no longer impose marital law and military rule.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This was a Document by William and Mary. It was designsed to prevent abuse on power in English monarchs.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

The Albany Plan of Union was a supposed to put the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. Although never carried out, it was the first important plan to make the colonies a whole united under one government.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The stamp act was the first British tax on american colonist. Newspaper, pamphlet, and other legal document had to have a Stamp or British seal on it. The Stamp cost money for the first time.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The Boston Massacre was a riot between a patriot mob and British soldiers, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks. It led to the Revolutionary War It wasnt called The Boston Massacre until 1773, before then it was known as the Bloody Massacre.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A group of colonist smast and poured 342 crates of tea into the harbor. It was more then an angry English reaction on attempt to undersell merchants it was a demonstration against taxation.

Intolerable Act

May 5, 1774

Series of laws made by British Prime Minister. The law were in response to the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

Oct 26, 1774

Representatives from each colony, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia to discuss their response to the British "Intolerable Acts." The members agreed to boycott British goods and not seek independence from Britain.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This was a meeting to follow the First Continental Congress to decide if they are going to go threw with what they had agreed on & they did. The 13 states elected George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Written by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia saying the 13 states are independent.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 19, 1781

The Contental Congress wrote The Articles of Confederation to unify the colonies. Its considered the first consitution of America.

Philadelphia Convention

Sep 21, 1787

At first, the purpose was to address the problems the federal government was having. they ended up working on the formation of a new plan of government.