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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
A group of barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede on June 15, 1215. This had the basic laws that influenced the Declaration of Indepence such as "due process of law" and "trial by jury". These later became known as human rights, a turning point to establish freedom. -
Petition of Rights
Charles 1 asked parliment for more money in taxes , but the refused to untill he signed the petition of rights. This limited the kings power, by now giving rights to citizens that are accused of crime. This rule influnced the bill of rights. -
English Bill of Rights
To prevent William and Mary abusing their power, parliment drew up a list of provisions that they would have to agree to. This included the right to a fair trial and freedom from excessive bail which is still the idea in our government today. -
Stamp Act
British taxed stamps on all paper documents.. They prepared a strong protest called declaration of Rights and Grevienances against new british policies and sent it to the king. This is the first time a big number of colonies joined to oppose the British government. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of men disguised themselves as Native Americans to board the thee tea ships in the Boston Harbor and dumped all tea into the water. This was to protest British control of tea trade and symbolic of saying they were done with the British. -
American Revolution
The colonies got really tired of the British telling them what to do by being taxed, so decided to rebell because they did not like the fact of being taxed without representation. When the British said no to representation, America took them to war and won their independence. Finally breaking free from the British. -
Declaration of Independence
Richard Henry Lee proposed to congress and the deligates agreed to declaring independence. They proclaimed to the existance of a new nation which gave them the first oppertunity to start their own government -
Article of Confederation
Congress considered the problem of uniting other colonies, so the suggested a "firm league" of friendship between the states. States came together for "their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.."
