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Period: Jan 26, 1200 to
timeline
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Jan 26, 1215
Magna Carta
Great Chapter forced upon King John of England by his barons. It established that the power of the monacrchy was not absolute and guaranteed trial by jury and due process of law to the nobility. -
Petition of Rights
This was a document prepared by Parliamnet and signed by King Charles I of England. It challenged the idea of divine rights of kings and declared that even the monarchwas subject to the law of the land. -
English Bill of Rights
This was a document written by Parliament and agreed on by William and Mary of England. It was to prevent abuse of power by English Monarchs. It also forms the basis for much in American government and politics today. -
Albany plan of Union
This was a plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin that aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade, military, and other purposes. The plan was turned down by the colonies and the Crown. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killing of five colonists by British regulars. It was the culmination of tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since Royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts in October 1768 to enforce the heavy tax burden imposed by the Townshend Acts. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a group of colonists protest thirteen years of increasing British oppression, by attacking merchant ships in Boston Harbor. In retaliation, the British close the port, and inflict even harsher penalties. -
First Continental Congress
This was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met on September 5 to October 26, 1774 at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, early in the American Revolution. For nearly two months, the members of this discussed the worsening situation and debated plans for action. -
Second Continental Congress
It was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was soon after warfare in the American Revolutionary War had begun. -
Articles of Confederation
This was a plan of government adopted by the continental congress after the American Revolution. It established "A firm league of friendship" among the states, but allowed few important powers to the central government. -
Shay's Rebellion
This was an armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts. The protesters became radicalized against the state government following the arrests of some of their leaders, and began to organize an armed force -
Virginia Plan
This was a plan presented by delegates from Virgina at the Constitutional Convention. It called for a three-branch government with a bicameral ligeslature in which each State's memebership would be determined by its population or its financial support for the central government. -
New Jersey Plan
This was a plan presented as an alternative to the Virgina Plan at the Constitutional Convention. It called for a unicameral legislature in which each State would be equally represented. -
Declaration of Independence
The original States adopted it in order to link themselves, and the american people, more closely together. That constitution was built in the belief that in union there is strength. -
Philadelphia Convention
This was a meeting in Philadelphia where representitives from each colony meet at Independence Hall. This is where they started to draft the Constitution.
