Major Events for Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

Magna Carta means "The Great Charter". It was created to limit the power of King John.

Jamestown Settled

May 4, 1607

Jamestown was the first English settlement in America. It was settled in the colony of Virginia.

Mayflower Compact Written

Nov 11, 1620

The Mayflower Compact is the first governing document of Plymouth. Men on the Mayflower signed this document to create a government in Plymouth.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

The Petition of Right is a major English constitutional document. This document set out liberties that the King can not infringe upon.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

The Bill of Rights sets out certain civil rights. These include separation of powers, limiting the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic elections, and bolsters freedom of speech.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 10, 1754

This plan was to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It was suggested by Benjamin Franklin.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The Stamp Act was a taxation on the colonies that required many newspapers to be stamped and produced in London. This act was very unpopular among colonists who believed this was a violation of rights.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The Boston Massacre is also known as the "Incident on King Street". British army soldiers killed 5 civilians and injured 6 more.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty. They destroyed shipments of tea in response to a high taxation on tea. (threw tea into the harbor)

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from 12 out of the 13 colonies. This was called in response to the Intolerable Acts

Intolerable Acts

Oct 8, 1774

These were a series of laws passed by British parliament after the Boston Tea Party. They were meant to punish Massachusetts colonists.

American Revolution Begins

Apr 19, 1775

The American Revolution consisted of the 13 colonies uprising against the British Monarchy. This founded the USA

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

The second continental congress was banded to manage colonial war effort. They worked towards moving America to independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This document was made by the Second Continental Congress. It is the announcement that the 13 colonies would separate from England.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution in America. Under these, the states remained sovereign.

Shays' Rebellion

Aug 31, 1786

Shays' Rebellion is the name of a series of protest by American farmers. Named after Daniel Shays, people rebelled against the government for high taxation and judgement for debt.

Philadelphia Convention

May 1, 1787

The philadelphia convention was called by congress to revise the Articles of Confederation. They eventually decided to throw out the Articles.

Constitution Convention

May 25, 1787

This is another name for the Philadelphia Convention. This convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 16, 1787

This was also known as the "Great Compromise". This agreement between large and small states allowed for fair representation in the Senate.