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Sep 10, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document written to limit the power of the king of England. It was signed King John and barons who had threatened revolt. -
Jamestown settled
Jamestown was the first successful English colony. It was founded in Virginia by the Virginia Company. -
Mayflower Compact
First governing document of the Plymouth colony. Was a social contract that helped to establish a government. Was signed by 41 of the 101 passengers on the Mayflower. -
Petition of Rights
Major consituitional document that limits the power of the king. It also prohibits non-parliamental taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law during peacetime. -
English Bill of Rights
An act of Parliament that enforced many rights. It also established separation of power, limiting the power of the king and queen, enhance democratic election, and bolsters freedom of speech. -
Albany Plan of Union
First attempt to have all of the Thriteen colonies be under one government. Was proposed by Benjamin Franklin and other representatives from seven colonies. -
Stamp Act
Act that imposed a tax upon printed papers. Caused emnity between colonists and the English. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of angy colonists surrounded surrouned British soldiers causing them to panic. This caused them to fire into the crowd causing several deaths. -
Boston Tea Party
Protest by the colonists over the tea act. They dumped tea into boston Harbor disguised as natives. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from tweleve of the thriteen colonies. In response to the coercive acts. -
Intolerable Acts
Puniative acts after the Boston Tea Party. It was a major cause for the American Revolution. -
Second Continental Congress
Reconvening of the many of the delegates from the first Continental Congress. Acted as the national government throughout the revolution. -
American Revolution begins
America becomes fed up with England's treatment of them and revolts. Leads to the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence
Declared that the United States was a free and Independent counry. Seen as the birth of the United States. Signed by representatives from the thirteen colonies. -
Articles of Confederation
It was the first attempt by the United States to have a consitution. Put most of the power in the hands of the individual states rather than the federal government. -
Shay's Rebellion
An armed uprising in Massachusetts upset over economic greivances. Was led by Revolutuionary war veteran Daniel Shay. -
Philideplhia convention
Convention in order to make a new consitution for the United States. Ended with the Consitution being adopted. -
Consitutional Convention
Convention to adopt a new consituition to replace the Articles of Confederation. Was held in Philidelphia. -
Connecuit Compromise
Compromise between small and large states. Set up having representatives based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
