-
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
It was the first document forced onto the King of England in hopes to limit his powers. It was also to try and protect the peoples' privileges. -
Jamestown Settled
When we came over to find new land, we chose the area of Jamestown because it would be easier to defend from enemies or British army attacks. -
Mayflower Compact Written
It was the first governing document by the Plymouth colony. However, it consented to follow the compact's rule for sake of their survival. -
Petition of Rights
The petition of rights is a major document that set out certain liberties of the king that he must not break. The Petition has restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law. -
English Bill of Rights
It was a restatement of the Decleration of Independence in statutory form. It was given to William and Mary by the Convention Parliament inviting them to become joint sovereign in England. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It represents an early attempt for unity for the colonies under one government. -
Stamp Act
It imposed a direct tax from the British government to place on colonies of British America. It required that printed prints had to be produced on stamp paper made in London. -
Boston Massacre
An incident where the British Army killed five civilan men and injured six. A mob had formed around the British sentry and had yelled threats so shots were fired. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a political protest in Boston by the Sons of Liberty. It was against the tax policy of the British Government and the East India Company that controlled all the tea imported to the colonies. A group of colonists boarded a tea ship and destroyed the tea by throwing it off into the Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
It was a convention of twelve colonists from all the colonies. They met to consider options of what to do with Britain and made a petition to send to King George III. -
Intolerable Acts
It was the laws that passed by the British Parliament in regards to the Boston Tea Party. The acts stripped Massachusetts from self-government and historic rights. -
Second Continental Congress
It was a convention with representatives of all thirteen colonies. They managed colonial war effort and moved towards independence by adopting the Decleration of Independence. -
American Revolution Begins
The thirteen colonies joined together and broke away from Britain and each established their own government. Britain got angry and sent over troops to fight. -
Decleration of Independence
It was where the Continental Congress announced that the thirteen colonies were named independent states and no longer a part of England. They then formed their own union. -
Articles of Confederation
It was an agreement between the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states. It also served as their first constitution. -
Shay's Rebellion
It was an armed uprising in Massachusetts where protestors shut down county courts. The protestors then formed armed forces and made a militia. -
Philadelphia Convention
It took place to address problems of the United States of America. The result of the convention was the U.S. Constitution. -
Constitution Convention
It made a plan for a new structure of government. It also brought about the Virginia Plan. -
Connecticut Compromise
It was an agreement between small and large states defining a legislative structure and representation plan. It stated that there must be proportional and weighted representation so larger states could not overpower the smaller states.
