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Jan 26, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document that guaranteed fundamental rights such as trial by a jury and due process of law. This document held the rights of all English people. -
Petition of Right
The petition of right limited the kings power in several ways. Most importantly it demanded that the king no longer imprison someone without the lawful judgement of his peers. -
English Bill of Rights
This bill prohibited a standing army in peace time except with the consent of parliment. This bill also guarenteed the right to a fair trial. -
Albany Plan of Union
In this plan Franklin proposed the creation of an annual congress from each of the colonies. They would now have the power to raise military and naval forces, make war abd oeach with the native americans, regulate trade with them, tax, and collect customs duties. -
Boston Massacre
Mob violence errupted at several ports, supporting a boycott for English goods. On March 5th British troops in Boston fired into a jeering crowd killing five, in what came to be known as the Boston Massacre. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded three tea ships in Boston Harbor. They broke open the chests and dumped the ships cargo into the sea to protest British control of the tea trade. -
First Continental Congress
For nearly two months the members of the First Continental congress discussed the worsening situation in Boston and debated plans of action, The delegates urged the colonies to refuse all trade with England until the hated taxes and trade regulations were repealed. -
Second Continental Congress
Each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to the Congress, most of those who attended the first meeting also attended the second. This time John Hancock was chosen to be the president of the Congress. -
Declaration of Independance
The declaration proclaims no political system had ever been founded on the people should rule instead of being ruled. With teh adoption of the Declaration the 13 colonies became free and independant states. -
Articles of Confederation
This article established a firm league of friendship among the states. Each state kept its sovereignty, freedom, and independance. -
Shays Rebellion
Daniel Shay led an armed uprising that forced several state judges to close their courts. Early the next year Shay led another attack on the federal arsenal at Springfeild but it was unsucessful. -
New Jersey Plan
This plan retained the unicameral Congress of the Confederation with each of the states equally represented. In addition to those powers would add closely limited powers to tax and to regulate trade between the states. -
Philadelphia Convention
In 1787 the Philadelphia Convention took place to adress the problems governing the United States. The intention was to create a new government instead of fixing the old one. -
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan called for three seperate branches of government. These government branches would be the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive.
