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Jun 15, 1212
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215. It was the first document to limit the kings power and even rulers are subject to the law. It introduced fundemental rights which helped shaped future legal systems. This document gave people the right to a fair trial and influenced the ideas and development of democratic views and the creation of the constitution. -
mayflower compact
The mayflower compact was an agreement made by the pilgrims in 1620 which they signed. It created a simple plan for the to govern themselves and make/follow rules for the benefit of the colony. This document is important because it was one of the first forms of self government in America. This helped other colonies to govern themselves. -
The English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was created in 1689 with the purpose of limiting the kings power to give parliment and the people more rights. This ensured the right to complain to the government without getting unfair punishment. This document helped establish a government where the king needed parliament's approval to make decisions. The ideas of this bill strongly influenced the U.S. Bill of rights, these ideas included reinforcing protection for freedom and limiting the power of the government. -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War took place from 1754 to 1763 between Britian and France over the control of North America. Both countries wanted control of territory in the Ohio River Valley. Both had Native American allies who fought for their interest in the region. Britian ultimately won the war, resulting in the Treaty of Paris (1763), but it left them with huge debt to be payed off. To help relieve this burden they angered colonists by imposing taxes which contributed to the American Revolution. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax passed by Britian in 1765 to help pay off debts from the French and Indian War. Britian neeeded the money to maintain their troops in the colonies and cover the war expenses. The american colonies had to use stamps on newspapers and legal documents that the british governement supplied. The colonists didn't like this because they didnt have a say in the decision. Colonists protested against the act and refused to buy British goods. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the british tea act. This law let the British east india company selll tea directly to the colonies, which upset them because they were taxed without consent. To protest a group of colonist dressed themselves as native americans and boarded three ships in boston harbor. Here they threw 342 chests of tea into the water to show their anger. This increased the tension between Britian and the colonies and pushed them to revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document that declared the american colonies free from British rule. It stated that everyone has rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the government should protect these rights. It also listed reasons why the colonies felt Britian was treating them unfairly. By signing it the colonies officially became a independent country, the united states. -
Articles of Confederation
The articles of confederation was the first constitution of the united states It gave most power to the states and created a weak government. The governemnt could make laws but they couldnt enforce them, collect taxes, or control trade between states. This caused problems like money issues and dissagreements between states. I eventually got replaced by the U.S Constitution. -
3/5 comprimise
The 3/5 comprimise was an agreement reached during the constitutional covention in 1787. It decided how enslaved people would be counted for when determining a states population for representation in congress. According to the comprimies each enslaved person would be counted as three fifths of a person. This meant that states with lareg enslaved populations would have more representatives in the house of representitives. -
Ratifying the constitution
Ratifying the constitution was a process of getting approval for the U.S constitution after it was created in 1787. The constitution was sent out to each state, where conventions discussed and voted on it. At least 9/13 states had to agree for it to become law. The constitution set up a stronger government with 3 branches and a bill of rights to protect the peoples freedom. The process was finished on june 21, 1788 when New Hampshire was the 9th state to approve.