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509 BCE
Formation of the Republic of Rome
The first experiment in republicanism, the Roman Republic, is formed (USHistory [1]). Although an oligarchy, it was an important step to the formation of the American system. Elections were held to appoint representatives to the system, but only patricians could vote. There were still many days to come until the American system was realized. Image source: ancient.eu -
350 BCE
Drafting of The Constitution of the Athenians
Aristotle, or one of his students, drafts the Athenian Constitution, the leading document describing the structure and limits of the Athenian government (National Geographic [1]). This became a key influence on the British and later American systems of government. Image source: dhi.ac.uk -
338 BCE
Formation of the Hellenic League
Facing a Persian threat, the many distinct Greek city states unify into the Hellenic League to combat foreign invasion (Britannica [1]). This parallels the unification of distinct states with individual identities seen in the American Revolution. -
Jun 15, 1215
Signing of The Magna Carta
An immense victory for limited government, King John of England signed the Magna Carta into law (Metro [1]). Among other things, the charter placed limits on the power of the king in Britain, the right to due process, and the right to free commerce. This was influential on the American system because it set the foundation for further restrictions on executive power and the granting of individual liberty. Image source: bbc.org -
First Meeting of the House of Burgesses
In Virginia, 1619, colonists gathered local representatives and the crown-appointed governor, George Yeardley, together to form a semi-autonomous state government (USHistory [1]). This government later became the House of Burgesses, and had the authority to pass laws throughout the state. This became a key precursor to the state governments of other colonies throughout America, and therefore is a precursor to modern state governments as well.
Image source: Britannica.com -
Signing of the Mayflower Compact
Shortly before arriving in the New World, the pilgrims drafted a constitution to govern themselves (History [1]). The text of the compact is very simple; it merely states that they are creating a government and that as citizens they agree to follow the laws set by it. However, the compact reinforced the American tradition of consent of the governed, and is therefore a contributing factor to the American system of government. Image source: brittanica.com -
Signing of the Petition of Right
Charles I of England was a tyrant, disbanding parliament, enacting martial law, and forcing citizens to quarter soldiers. Once Charles assembled parliament once more, they forced him to accept the Petition of Right, a document banning martial law in peacetime, collection of taxes without parliamentary consent, enforced due process, and outlawing forcing citizens to quarter troops. This was massively influential on the American government, echoed especially in the third Amendment. -
John Locke Publishes His Second Treatise of Government in England
In the Second Treatise of Government Locke asserts that all men are born free and equal and have a natural right to life, liberty, and property (Stanford [1]). This can be easily seen in the declaration of independence in the assertion of the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Image source: britannica.com -
Signing of the English Bill of Rights
On this date Parliament passed and the crown approved the English Bill of Rights (USHistory [1]). It sets out basic rights and liberties granted to citizens of England, such as freedom from fines and forfeiture without a trial, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, and the right for protestants to bear arms. This was heavily influential on the American bill of rights, holding many of the same characteristics. -
Publication of "Cato's Letters" begin
Written under the pseudonym Cato, "Cato's Letters" were a series of essays written by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon calling for limited government, checks and balances, and freedom of press in British society (MTSU [1]). These letters later influenced the Founding Fathers in drafting the First Amendment. Image source: oll.libertyfund.org -
Montesquieu Describes the Tripartite System
French philosopher Montesquieu describes the importance of power separated into three parts: the executive (king), legislators (parliament), and the courts (USHistory [1]). This separation of powers is essential to the American system of governance. -
Albany Plan of Union
On this date Benjamin Franklin proposed a unified government of the American colonies in Albany, New York (Britannica [1]). Although many years before the union would become a reality, it is a precursor to the American system of government, and expressed the desire to be free from the crown's rule. Image source: britannica.com -
Meeting of the Stamp Act Congress
On this date a congress was held consisting of representatives from the colonies on what the response was to be on the passage of the stamp act, a parliamentary tax on postage throughout the colonies (USHistory [1]). The extralegal nature of the congress reinforced the right to protest and assemble against an oppressive government, a principle seen in the American system today. Image source: sutori.com -
Thomas Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
Thomas Paine published and distributed his pamphlet "Common Sense" calling for an independence movement against the British government in the colonies (History [1]). It was widely distributed amongst the colonists and helped spread the idea of independance. Other than the obvious sparking of revolution, it echoes the rights enshrined in the first amendment to a free press. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independance
Personifying Locke's theory that man had a right to revolt against a tyrannical government, representatives of the colonies organized and declared independence from Great Britain (National Geographic [1]). Gathering in Philadelphia, the men drafted and signed the declaration. -
Drafting of the Articles of Confederation
Gathering in Philadelphia, representatives of the states created a "league of friendship." The Articles of Confederation created a loose system of governance among the states, but It did not have many powers, and left much authority to the states. It could make decisions, but it was quite hard to enforce them. These issues were remedied with the adoption of the Constitution in 1788. -
Signing of the United States Constitution
Once again convening in Philadelphia, representatives of the states draft and sign the Constitution of the United States of America. No longer were the states thirteen independent countries cooperating, but were committed to become one unified country. -
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Occurring at the drafting of the constitution, the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise states that congress cannot ban the slave trade for 20 years, but held the authority to tax the trade (government-and-constitution [1]). The compromise was made to allow the passage of the constitution. Without it, the southern states would not have joined the union, because they feared that congress would ban slavery. -
First Publication of The Federalist Papers
Primarily published in two New York papers, the Federalist Papers were a series of persuasive essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay urging states to ratify the constitution (Library of Congress [1]). The papers were read nationwide and receive a great deal of credit for speeding up the ratification process. -
Ratification of the Constitution
Representing an ideal of the American system at work, the Constitution had been agreed to, but it required the consent of two thirds of its representing states to be enacted (Constitution Center [1]). On this date the ninth of the thirteen states, New Hampshire, ratified the constitution, putting it into effect. Thus, the American system was proven to be a possible reality rather than just a political ideal.
