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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
It was a document that gave political and civil rights to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215. First step to limit powers of the Monarchy in England and increasing the power of the legislative body. -
Jamestown Settled
It was the first successful permanent settlement in the New World (America). Because of this, more colonies started to form in the New World. This first settlement helped shape America. -
Mayflower Compact Written
It was the first governing document established by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower just before they reached Plymouth Rock. This compact was written by the Plymouth colonists and they lived by the sets of laws established by it. -
Petition of Right
In 17th century England King Charles I broke up parlament and ruled on his own but then a parlament presented this petiton of rights. It mostly focused on the king breaking the law that was set in the Magna Carta. The king accepted this but later broke his promise and civil war broke out, it ended with the king being beheaded. It was a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited of infringing. -
English Bill of Rights
It was established by the English Parliament, it limited the powers of the Monarchy. This bill granted people basic human rights and freedoms. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal made by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies.They wanted the colonies to unite as one to defend against threats and win in the Indian and French war. -
Stamp Act
A law passed by the British Parliament requiring all documents, papers, letters, etc. in American colonies to bear a stamp tax. It was the first direct tax ever levied by Britian on the Americans, who later rioted in opposition. -
Boston Massacre
British military troops were station in Boston to maintain control among colonists. Colonists became uneasy and resented the presence of the troops. There were many outbreaks between the colonists and the troops that led up to the Massacre. The Massacre started because of an outbreak that made the soldiers nervous and so he shot and the others followed. A fight broke out and 5 civilians were killed. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty against the tax policy of the British government and the company that controlled the tea imported to the colonies. On this date after officials in Boston refused to return the shiploads of taxed tea to Britian, a group of colonists disguised as indians boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it all overboard. -
First Continental Congress
It was a meeting of delegates from twelve colonies (not including Georgia) to plan a response to the Intolerable acts. The congress met briefly to consider options, there were 56 members appointed by the legislatures of the twelve colonies who attended this meeting. -
Intolerable Acts
They were laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. It closed the port of Boston until the tea had been paid for and order was restored. -
American Revolution Begins
It was a political upheaval in which the 13 colonies in America joined together to break free from British rule. The colonies protested and rejected againts british laws and the Parliament. -
Second Continental Congress
It succeeded the first meeting, the second congress managed the colonial war efforts. George Washington was appointed commander and chief and they adoped the declaration of independence. This congress led the country through the wars during that time. -
Declaration of Independence
Statement adopted by the Continential Congress, it announced the 13 colonies, during the time it was at war with Britian, as independent states and no longer part of Britian. -
Articles of Confederation
Documents that set the terms in which the original 13 states agreed to. It united the colonies and it was also the original constitution of the U,S, but was later replaced by the U.S. constitution (the one we follow today). -
Shay's Rebellion
It was an armed uprising caused by economic depression
aggressive tax and debt collectiona. Farmer Daniel Shays took charge of a group and led an attack on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. Because of this rebellion the state granted relief to debitors. It also had a strong influence on the federal government. -
Philadelphia Convention
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Connecticut Compromise
Compromise between the large and small states. It provided states with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives. -
Constitution Convection
A meeting held in 1787 by delegates from the 13 states. At first, the purpose of the convention was to address the problems the federal government was having ruling the states and staying fiscally sound under the provisions of the Articles of Confederation, What really occurred at the Philadelphia Convention was the formation of a new plan of government, which was outlined in the newly-drafted U.S. Constitution.
