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Period: Jan 1, 1200 to
Timeline Span
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Also known as "Articles of the Barons", this document was the first a way to limit power to the King of England. It was the start of a constitutional government in England. -
Petition of Right
A major English constitutional document that gave its people rights that the king could not infringe on. -
English Bill of Rights
An act of the Parliament of England in which it became a shared sovereign with the king or queen. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Ablany Plan of Union was an early attempt at a constitution for the colonies. Benjamin Franklin saw the need for order and tried to write some legislation to set rules in place. -
Boston Massacre
An incident where 5 civilian men were slaughters by British soldiers. Used as a rallying point for the colonies to turn people against Britain. -
First Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the British Colonies met in response to the Coercive Acts. -
Second Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the 13 colonies that met to move incrementally toward independence after the start of the Revolutionary War -
Declaration of Independence
This statement from the US colonies, announced their independence from England -
Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation ratified creating a weak but central government for the 13 colonies. -
Shay's Rebellion
An armed uprising in central and western Massachusetts against Britain. -
Philadelphia Convention
A convention in which the delegates formed a new government for the United States. -
Virginia Plan
A plan for the US goverment to be a bicameral legislative branch. -
New Jersey Plan
This is the counterproposal to the Virginia Plan. It was also known as the small states plan.