Early American Government Timeline

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

This document limited the power of monarchs, in particular King John. This is the first document to do so and give citizens rights.

Jamestown Settlement

May 14, 1607

This was America's first permanent colony. It was sponsored by the Virginia Company who was looking to make a profit from an area they believed was rich in natural resources.

Mayflower Compact Written

Nov 11, 1620

This was the first democratic government document written in America. The colonists agreed to choose their leaders and make their own laws which they agreed to follow.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

An English constitutional document that set certain liberties of the citizens that the king is prohibited from infringing.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This Bill creates a separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, improves the democratic election process and further implements freedom of speech.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

This was a plan to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. It was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, a senior leader.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This was an act by the British Parliament that was made to gain revenue from the American colonies by imposing a tax on everyday goods. This led to American unrest.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This was the shooting of five people by the the British that was labeled a massacre to cause attention and hysteria against the British.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in which they dressed as Indians and threw the British tea into the Boston Harbor. A total of 342 chests of tea on three ships.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

These acts were series of laws passed by the British Parliament after the Boston Tea party. They were meant to punish the Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

This was the meeting of 12 of the 13 colonies to discuss the affect and reaction to the Intolerable Acts.

American Revolution Begins

Apr 19, 1775

The people of the 13 colonies wanted to become a free and independent nation from Great Britain. The war between the lasts from 1775 - 1783 ending in victory for America.

Second Continental Congress

Jul 4, 1776

The meeting of the 13 colonies that declared that the Revolutionary War had begun between America and the British. They moved towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

The American document from the Second Continental Congress that declared the separation of the 13 colonies from the kingdom of Britain.

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1777

This was the original constitution of the United States of America. An agreement by the 13 colonies to be governed by.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 31, 1786

This was s series of protests from 1786 through 1787 by American farmers against state and local enforcement of tax collections and judgments for debt.

Constitution Convention

May 14, 1787

A convention held in order to discuss the possible ratifications to the Articles of Confederation. This took place in Philadelphia.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

This meeting defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States Constitution.