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500
Ancient Greece 5th Century BC
Ancient Greece was the first to have a Direct Democracy, which started the basis for New England's Government. This Government gave a voice to all citizens and let them have a say in what was going on in their Government, -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was made to keep King John of England from having so much power. It established a Limited Government which cut the power of the King and gave more rights to the citizens of England. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a temporary form of Government made for the 101 people on the Mayflower coming to America for the first time.This Government was made to keep order of the colonists and they all agreed to follow the contract. -
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes wrote a book called Leviathan that came up with the Socail Contract theory. Hobbes believed that Government was made to protect people from themselves and that there was a need for an absolute monarch. -
John Locke
John Locke published Two Treatises on Government in 1689. He wrote that Government was meant to serve people, and to protect people's natural rights. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was limited the power of the Government again for the King and monarchs. It expanded the freedoms of citizens. This document protected all of the citizens of England. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau published The Social Contract in 1692. He theorized about what he thought Government should be like. He believed that all men were created equal. -
Baron de Montesquieu
On the Spirit of Laws was published by Baron de Montesquieu in 1748. In this, he proposed the separation of powers to divide the Government into three parts. He believed this would protect against acts of tyranny. -
Voltaire
Voltaire published Treatise on Tolerance which explained what he believed Government should be like. He believed in freedom of speech, and that men are made equal. -
Cesare Beccaria
Cesare Beccaria was a philosipher who is famous for writing On Crime and Punishment. This book was about the justice system and his ideas were critical but it was taken well by people and made an impact on how the U.S. justice system worked. -
First Continential Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting of 16 colonies delegates. These delegates were trying to stop the British Government from controling them over in America. -
Second Continental Congress
This was the second meeting of the delegates of the colonists. The delegates were trying to manage the war effort by raising armies and correcting strategy. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration was the document which announced the thirteen colonies that were at war with Britian were now free from English control. Instead they had formed a new nation (America) and were starting a new Government of their own. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation lead to the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary war. This document also established a method for admitting new states. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was very important to America's history because it ended the Revolutionary War. It also recognized Americans freedom and Independence. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was when hundreds of angry farmers stormed into the courthouse led by Daniel Shay. This lead to Americans calling for a stronger National Government. -
Philidelphia Convention
This convention took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvaina and addressed the problems in Americas government under the Articles of Confederation. Even though this convention was for fixing the government many of the delegates wanted to create a new government all together, -
Ancient Rome (509BC-49BC)
Ancient Rome was the first to make a Republic form of Government. This allowed citizens to elect representatives, with a Senate and a Tribune. This form of Governent was made for larger scale such as New England.
