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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John of England to reduce the power of the king, such as unfair taxing and cruel treatment. This document was the first English document ever recorded to reduce the king's power. The Magna Carta is an example of what the colonies would eventually do to break away from England and start a new country. -
English Bill of Rights
Once again, England was mad at their king, James II, for abuse of power as a king. Another English king, William III, signed the English Bill of Rights to ensure more freedoms for the English. Some of the freedoms stated in the document are no cruel punishments and no taxing with Parliament's vote. -
The French & Indian War
The French and Indian War was a nine-year war that started by a land dispute between the French and the English. England did win the war and gained a large amount of North American land. But, the war turned out deadly and costly for France and England. The British Parliament, however, thought that the colonies in America should be responsible and pay taxes for the damage on England's army. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an approved act from Parliament to tax all paper goods in the American colonies with a stamp. The colonies had no say in Parliament about the tax, so they could not vote for themselves. This led to protest and rioting; one of the most notable protests was the Boston Tea Party. The riots led to more taxing and more control over the colonies from England. -
Declaration of Independence
During the Revolutionary War in the colonies, one delegate each from the thirteen colonies attended the Second Continental Congress. The entire Congress voted and decided to make and sign a document declaring the colonies' independence from Britain. This document was to firmly put America separate from Great Britain and to create its own nation.
