Major Events for Early American Government(LK)

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta inspired other famous documents like the United States Constituition. This document also allowed the colonization of other countries by Britian.

Jamestown Settled

May 13, 1607

It was the first successful colony town established in America. It was named after King James I of England.

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It was named after the Mayflower ship.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

This document limited the King of England's power. It contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and restricts the use of martial law.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This english document limits the power of the crown. It also sets the standard for British government along with the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, Habeas Corpus Act 1679, Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Albany Plan of Union

Jul 15, 1754

This plan, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, proposed a government for the thirteen colonies. This plan inspired the Articles of Confederation.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This tax imposed by Great Britain increased prices of stamps and other printed materials in America. This act eventually led to the phrase, "No taxation without representation!" That was due to the fact that the United States had no one to appeal the act at parlament when the act was passed.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

The event was caused due to British soldiers inhabiting Boston to help the colonies. The colonists eventually got angry at one soldier and one day the colonists harrassed and abused one man. As a result British soldiers fired into a crowd of Bostonians and killed five men.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

It was a protest of the Tea Act by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sons of Liberty boarded British ships and dumped the tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 1, 1774

These acts made by british rule was created as a result of th Boston Tea Party. These acts resulted in tention between the United States and Britian and fueld the fire for eventual war between the two nations.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

It was a convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies(Georgia was not present) in Philadelphia. The congress was made to determine what should be done about the Intolerable Acts set up by Great Britian.

American Revolution Begins

Apr 19, 1775

The wars start marked the beginning of the fight for American independence. This was the first war where an empire fell to its colonies.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

This gathering took place in Philadelphia. The congress met to manage the colonial war effort. The congress eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

This document made the United States an indepent nation from Great Britian. The document since its creation has inspired other nations desire for independence.

Constitutional Convection

May 25, 1778

The Consitutional Convection started the Philadelphia Convention. It was important because it started the discussion about the formation of America's government under the Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

This document established the United States as a confederation of sovereign states. It served as the first constitution. The document also set grounds for foreign diplomacy by giving America basic international legitimacy.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 29, 1786

This was a rebellion created by americans in Massachusetts. The rebellion was brought on by post-war depression and the rebels wanted a refrom of the Articles of Confederation.

Philadelphia Convention

Period: May 25, 1787 to Sep 17, 1787

This convention was held to address problems in America's new government. This convention led to the creation of the Constituition and set up the basis for America's government.

Connecticut Compromise

Jul 5, 1787

The Connecticut Compromise set the basis for a bicameral legislature. This would be the creation of the Senate and House of Representatives. It was a compromise because they didn't want the entire legislature to be based on population; thus, the senate was born.

Philadelphia Convention

Sep 17, 1787

This convention started due to address the problems in America's government. This convention eventually led to the creation of America's constitution. The convention itself is one of the most important events in America's history.