Major Events for Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

This is an English charter that challenged England's monarchy to attempt to limit it's power. It required King John of England to proclaim certain libertires, such as law of the land. This document is considered the foundation of many constitutions.

Jamestown settled

May 14, 1607

This was the first permanent English settlement in the US. It is located on Jamestown Island in Virginia.

Mayflower Compact Written

Nov 11, 1620

This was the first governing document of the Plymouth colony. It was basically a contract stating the settlers would follow the rules.

Petition of Rights

May 19, 1628

This document set out specific rules that the king had to abide by. Produced by the English parliament and most importantly inclosed that taxes could only be levied by by Parliament, martial law may not be imposed in time of peace, and prisoners had the rights of habeous corpus.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

Limited the powers of the sovereign, set out rights of Parliament and rules of freedom of speech. Also, it condeemed King John of England for going against Protestants liberty of having arms for their defense.

Albany Plan of Union

Jun 19, 1754

This proposal was made by Benjamin Franklin in Albany, New York. It was an attempt to form one union from the 13 colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

A law directed to colonists that imposed a tax on stamped paper that they were required to use. These documents included newspapers, legal documents, etc.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This incident resulted when redcoats killed 5 civilians. A mob had formed in front of a British sentry and soon riot broke loose. The soliders fired into the crowd, killing 3 people. Two later died.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

Unjust taxes were being put on imported tea and many colonists became fed up. They dumbed three shiploads of tea into the Boston Harbor to show their disapproval.

Intolerable Acts

Apr 22, 1774

Also known as the Coercive Acts, this was a series of laws passed by British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. The goal was to reverse colonial resistance against parliament authority; however, many colonists saw this as an infringement to their rights.

First Continental Congress

Sep 15, 1774

12 of the 13 colonies sent forth legislatures to discuss the options of what to do about the passing of the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) which punished Boston for the Boston Tea Party. This took place in Carpenters Hlal, Philadelphia.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This meeting was held shortly after the American Revolution began. They managed warfare and soon established Congress.

American Revolution begins

Sep 19, 1775

The American Revolution brought the colonists together to break free of English rule. The conflict lasted 8 years and is also known as the American Revolutionary War and the US War for Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This was the official declaration that the 13 colonies of the United States were no longer under the rule of England. Independence day is now celebrated on this day.

Articles of Confederation written

Nov 15, 1777

This was the first constitution of the United States. It gave permisison for the American Revolutionary War, conduct diplomacy with Europe. Also, it helped territorial battles with Indians.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

Many farmers in Massachusetts couldn't afford to pay their debt for housing, so thousands were arrested. Daniel Shays and many other farmers rebelled against the the sherrifs, closed down courts and liberated imprisoned farmers.

Philadephia Convention

May 14, 1787

Gathered in 1787 to discuss problems of governing the United States, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation. They wanted to make a new government instead of fixing the old one. This convention created the United States Constitution, and George Washington presided over the convention.

Constitution Convention

May 14, 1787

Also known as the Philadelphia Convention. This meeting resulted in the Constitution.

Connecticut Compromise

May 29, 1787

This agreement was reached during the Constitutional Convention. It defined legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the U.S. Constitution.