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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Written to the King as a way of limiting his power against his tyrannical acts. This is the first example of trying to create a democracy. -
Mayflower Compact
Originally titled Agreement Between the Settlers of New Plymouth, it was the first governing document of the American settlers. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The fundamental orders describe the government set up by the Connecticut River towns, setting its structure and powers. -
English Bill of Rights
The bill outlined specific constitutional and civil rights and ultimately gave Parliament power over the monarchy. -
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French and Indian War
A war that pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. This is the first time that there was a war where the British made the colonies fight. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. This plan was never carried out but was a big first step in the ideals of the constitution. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 British colonies that became the United States. In this meeting they discussed breaking away from Great Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
A meeting by the delicates after the war had already started, where they once again discussed the Constitution and breaking away. -
Declaration of Independence
This is the second continental congress' pronouncement to break away from England, and the reasons why they are doing so. -
Articles of Confederation
An agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first frame of government. -
Shays Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Western Massachusetts and Worcester in response to a debt crisis among the citizenry and in opposition to the state government's increased efforts to collect taxes both on individuals and their trades. This results in a change to the Constitution. -
Virginia Plan
A proposal to the United States Constitutional Convention for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches and a bicameral legislature. -
Three-fifths compromise
An agreement that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives. -
New Jersey Plan
Proposed a unicameral (one-house) legislature with equal votes of states and an executive elected by a national legislature.