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Virginia Charter provides for a governor and Council of leaders.
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Pilgrims sign the Mayflower Compact, setting a framework for local governance in the colonies
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The Massachusetts Bay Colony establishes itself with some local self-governance
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William Penn's Frame of Government outlines a democratic form of government in Pennsylvania
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English Bill of Rights creates civil rights and gives Parliament power over the monarchy.
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John Locke introduces the idea of natural rights and limited government.
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Franklin proposes the Albany Plan of Union to create a colonial government.
While the delegates to the convention like the plan and approve it, not a single colonial legislature approves.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Albany-Congress#ref60791 -
Period: to
French & Indian War (Seven Year's War)
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Britain passes the Stamp Act
Direct taxation on many colonial transactions. Met with riots, stamp burning, and attacks on colonial tax collectors.
https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution -
Sons of Liberty forms in response to the Stamp Act
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Townshend Acts
Britain attempted to gain control of colonial governments in addition to taxing more items.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/townshend-acts -
Boston Massacre
Tensions between British soldiers and residents are high, and a street fight turns into a massacre.
https://www.history.com/news/sons-of-liberty-members-causes -
Sons of Liberty dump British tea into Boston Harbour
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Lexington & Concord (First Battles in the Revolutionary War)
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Declaration of Independence is announced.
Listing the reasons that the colonies needed to break away from Great Britain, the Declaration was an attempt to explain why the colonies were at war.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
Articles of Confederation drafted and sent to states for approval
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Articles of Confederation ratified
The Articles of Confederation become the framework for our first attempt at a government. -
Battle of Yorktown ends the Revolutionary War
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Shays' Rebellion
Farmers (Revolutionary War veterans) rebel against the Massachusetts state government between 1786 and 1787 and a minor battle occurs. The conflict pointed out the inability of the national government to deal with violent threats within its own territory. https://www.history.com/topics/early-us/shays-rebellion -
Constitutional Convention
Originally a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation, the Convention instead decides to draft a completely new Constitution.
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/the-constitutional-convention/ -
The U.S. Constitution is ratified by 9/13 states, creating the United States of America.
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George Washington becomes first President of the United States
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The Bill of Rights is adopted and sent to the states for ratification.
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Rhode Island is the last of the 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution.
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Washington, DC is named the U.S. Capital.
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The Bill of Rights is ratified by the states.