Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

It was a charter agreed to by King John of England. It helped make peace between the King and a group of rebel barons. It limited the power of the King and granted the people some rights. It was mostly important because of how it limited the monarchy.

Jamestown

May 14, 1607

Jamestown was the first successful English settlement in America. Even though it almost failed, the colony eventually suceeded and even was the capital of the Virginia colony until 1699. This was important because it eventually led to further colonization of America.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

This was an English constitutional document that set out certain liberties that the King was unable to infringe upon. This document further limited the King and was another step in creating an actual government over a kingship.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This bill limited the power of the monarch and set out rights of the Parliament. Those rights included elections and freedom of speech in the Parliament. This bill is still in affect today. This Bill of Rights is important because it helped in the creation of the United States Bill of Rights.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 1, 1754

This plan was created by Benjamin Frannklin. It proposed to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies. It was also a plan of denfense in order to combat threats from France. It was important because it signified a beginning of the United States.

Stamp Act

Mar 18, 1765

This act imposed a direct tax on the colonies and required the colonists to pay a tax for certain stamped paper. This outraged the colonists, as they beliveved Britian passed the Act without the consent or representation of the colonies.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This incident involved British soldiers killing five male civilians and injuring six others. The soldiers fired without direct order from anyone. However, six of the soldiers were acquitted of murder, while the other two were given reduced sentences. This fueled anomosity toward the British.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

It was a political protest by The Sons of Liberty in Boston. It was in protest to the Tea Act, which was passed in Britian and taxed the colonies. The colonists thought this was unfair because it violated "no taxation without representation". It was important cause it helped kickstart the revolution.

Intolerable Acts

Jan 18, 1774

These acts were passed after the Boston Tea Party and were meant to punish the colonists in Massachussetts. It took away the colonists self-governing abilites and historical rights. This outraged colonists and helped lead to the American Revolution.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

It was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies. It was called in response to the Intolerable Acts passed by the British. This act was in response to the Boston Tea Party. It was another step toward an organized American government.

American Revolution

Mar 19, 1775

The American Revolution took place between rebel colonists and the British.The colonists were rebelling because they felt that the British were not being fair or giving them equal representation. It ended with the colonists being granted their freedom from the control of the British. This was also the start of the nation we know today.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

It was a meeting of delegates from the thirteen colonies that took place in Philadelphia. This meeting helped manage the war effort. The Declaration of Independence was also created at this congress and it ultimately made us into the nation we are today.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

It was created at the Second Continental Congress and basically declared the thirteen colonies independence from Britian. Its important cause it basically made the United States an independent nation.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

It was the first written constitution of the United States. It was started back in 1777, but was ratified in 1781 by the colonies. It helped provide domestic and internationl legitimacy in directing the Revolutionary War.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 18, 1786

This was an armed uprising led by Revolutionary war veteran Daniel Shay. It was unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government. However, it led the national leaders to call for a stronger national government, which is why it is important.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

This convention was called to adress problems in governing the United States of America after there independence from Britian. The United States had been operating under the Articles of Confederation, but they felt like should create a new government rather than fixing what they had.This convention also led to the United States Constitution.

Conneticut Compromise

May 29, 1787

This compromise came about due to a conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. According to the compromise, representation in the House of Representatives would be based on population. The Senate representatives would have equal representatives.