Major Events for Early American Government

Magna Carta

Sep 30, 1215

The Magna Carta established that the government could not infringe upon the people's natural rights without consent. This forced the king to have limited powers.

Jamestown Settled

May 14, 1607

On this date, London entrepreneurs, the Virginia Company, set out to establish an English settlement in the Chesapeake region. The colonists landed in Jamestown, but after settling there, disease, famine, and constant attacks from Indians caused "The Starving Time."

Mayflower Compact

Nov 1, 1620

This compact is a written agreement that established the self-government of the new Pilgrim society at Plymouth Rock. It was the first document that established a government ruled by the people and not a single ruling body.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

This major English document established the natural rights of man that the king was prohibited from infringing. This also established restrictions on taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This document contained the rights that all citizen should have in a free and democratic society. It includes the right to bear arms, consent of the governed, among other provisions.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

This plan established that the new nation needed to form a government administered by a President-General, and a Grand Council that would be chosen by representatives of each colony. It also established the time in which each council member may serve along with details for each member's duties and payment.

Stamp Act

Nov 1, 1765

The Stamp Act created a tax on newspaper and many other types of paper used throughout the colonies. Many colonists saw this as a violation of their rights as Englishmen since they were taxed without consent.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British troops were called into Boston to enforce unpopular Parliamentary legislation. A mob formed at the station and became violent very quickly. The soldiers, acting in self-defense, fired into the crowd killing 5 and injuring others.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

During this time, the Sons of Liberty protested British taxes by dumping tea from East India Company into the Boston Harbor. The colonists dressed as Native Americans to hide their identities in order to escape punishment.

Intolerable Acts

Jan 1, 1774

These acts consisted of the following: Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act, and Quebec Act. The colonists saw these acts as a violation of their rights, and increased their hatred of Great Britian.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

This was a meeting between delegates from 12 colonies, Georgia chose not to attend, at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia. It was called in response to the Coercive Acts, and decided to boycott British goods, and petition King George III for redress of those grievances.

American Revolution

Apr 19, 1775

The American Revolution began after the colonists were fed up with being taxed without consent and being ruled by a king who lived across the ocean. They began armed assault against the British and were led by General George Washington.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

In this congress, the delegates managed war efforts and eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence. The congress acted as the "de facto" national government of what would become the United States.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This document asserted the independence of the Americas from Great Britain. It established the the grievances of the people against King George's rule and declared that Great Britain acknowledge the United States as an independent nation.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

This first constitution proposed the standards by which each state shall be governed. It also provided the Continental Congress with the power to oversee American Revolution, and to execute diplomacy dealing with Europe, Native Americans, and territorial issues.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

A group of farmers led by veteran Daniel Shays, protested due to post-war economic depression. Protesters shut down county courts and began to organize an armed force until they were stopped by a private army.

Philadelphia Convention

May 14, 1787

This event took place in Philadelphia to discuss problems in governing the new nation which was currently operating under the Articles of Confederation. The result of the convention was the Constitution.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 23, 1787

This compromise established the bicameral legislative proposed by James Madison. This established the House of Representatives and the Senate which contained representatives proportionally and equally respectively.