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Period: Sep 17, 1200 to
Road to the Constitution
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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
Picture Source: www.theguardian.com (The picture is of King John signing the Magna Carta) Magna Carta Website
The Magna Carta was signed by the barons of Medieval England and King John at Runnymede near Windsor Castle. It was created because King John was a terrible, corrupt ruler, and the Barons revolted against him. (Continue reading at "The Magna Carta Part II") -
Jun 1, 1215
The Magna Carta Part II
Then, they had discussions and created the Magna Carta. Some rights given to citizens include that they couldn't have property taken by officials, they couldn't be taxed in most cases, and they couldn't be put on trial just based on an official's word. -
The Mayflower Compact
Picture SourceMayflower Compact Website (This is a picture of the Pilgrims signing the Mayflower Compact)
This was a document signed by 14 English Colonists after their arrival into America. The purpose of this document was to prevent conflict between Puritans and non-seperatist Pilgrims that had arrived at Plymouth earlier. It was the first written foundation of the United States Government. -
Petition of Rights Part II
In return for Charles I's signature, he was granted subsides. However, he soon violated the rights by collecting money without the Parliament's authorization, and by prosecuting citizens. -
Petition of Rights
This petition was signed by Charles I at the beginning of his reign, and it is supposedly one of the most important documents right beside the Magna Carta. It gave many rights to the people including that Englishmen should not be forced to provide a gift/loan without an act of parliament, that there should be no imprisonment without a case, and that soldiers cannot be placed into private houses without consent of the owner. (Continue reading at "Petition of Rights Part II") -
English Bill of Rights
Picture Source (This is a picture of William of Orange and Mary, who signed the Enlglish Bill of Rights) Video
The English Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament and signed by William and Mary as they took over the throne at the end of the Glorious Revolution in England. (Continue reading at 'English Bill of Rights Part II') -
English Bill of Rights Part II
Some rights given to the subjects include the right to petition monarchy, the right to bear arms for self-defense, the right to elect members of parliament without interference of the crown, and freedom from the crown's interference with the law. The English Bill of Rights became a key foundation for the United States Constitution later on. -
Albany Plan of Union
See a picture of cartoon on this page.Picture Source (This is a picture of Benjamin Franklin with the Albany Plan of Union) This plan was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. It was a proposal to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It never happened because the colonies rejected it. The Join or Die cartoon is associated with it, showing a snake seperated into parts. This cartoon was created by Benjamin Franklin. -
French and Indian War Part II
The British ultimately won this conflict with the Treaty of Paris. Britian's position as a dominant colonial power in the eastern half of Northern America was confirmed. -
French and Indian War
VideoPicture Source (This is a picture of the battlefront during the French and Indian War.) The French and Indian War was a nine year conflict between the English and French and their military units from thier parent countries of Great Britain and France. Some major battles include the Battle of Jumonville Glen, the capture of fort Beausejour, and the seige of Fort William Henry. (Continue reading at French and Indian War Part II) -
Period: to
The French and Indian War
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King George III Takes Power
Picture Source
(This is a picture of King George III) Early in his reign, Great Britain defeated France in the 7 years war and became a dominant European power in North America and India. However, colonies were lost in the American Revolutionary war. King George believed colonists should pay for the cost of the war, and he instituted taxes. -
Stamp Act Part II
This act was viewed as the start of even more hard taxes in the future and the loss of power of the people. It was viewed as a direct attempt by England to raise money in the colonies without approval of colonial legislatures. Stamp Act resolves were put into place by colonial leaders, and colonists had many boycotts. In the end, the Stamp Act was repealed. (Continue reading at "Stamp Act Part III") -
Stamp Act Part III
The colonial delagates had many long debates over the taxes and by the time the Stamp Act was repealed, they were closer and more unified. Their unification becomes imperative for when they declare their independence from England later on. -
Stamp Act
Picture Source (This is a picture of a cartoon created in response to the Stamp Act.) This act required a tax on every piece of printed paper. For example: ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, publications, and even playing cards were all taxed. The Stamp Act was placed to help pay for costs of defending American frontier war mnts. (Continue reading at "Stamp Act Part II") -
The Boston Massacre
Picture Source (This is a picture of the violence of the Boston Massacre) The Boston Massacre, which is also known as Inciant on King Street, is where five colonists were killed and six were wounded. Soldiers were stationed around the Province of Massachusetts Bay to protect unpopular Paliamentary legislation. Colonists verbally abused and harrased soldiers, and they opened fire on them. (Continue reading on "The Boston Massacre Part II") -
The Boston Massacre Part II
The Townshend Acts were part of the reason for the upset. They were designed to collect money from colonists by taxing imported goods. After merchants boycotted English products, the Massachusettes Circular Letter was sent out, and British soldiers came to enfrorce the laws. They ended up being involved in situations such as the Boston Massacre. -
The Boston Tea Party Part II
The Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and robbed several British cargo ships, dumping the tea into the Boston Harbor. Afterwards, the Coercive Acts of 1774 were placed as punishment on the colonies and Boston especially. This was the response of the British because of the tea party and the rebellion/resistence shown in other instances as well. -
The Boston Tea Party
Picture Source (This is a picture of disguised Sons of Liberty throwing tea into the water below.) The Boston Tea Party was organized by the Massachusetts Patriots (Sons of Liberty). It was created to protest the tax policy of the British Government and EIC that controlled all of the tea imported into the colonies. (Continue reading at "The Boston Tea Party Part II) -
Intolerable Acts
These acts were passed by the British in response to the Boston Tea Party and because the colonists rejected and forced Britain to repeal the stamp and tea costs. The provisions were that soldiers could now live in any colonist's house at any time. Also, the Boston Harbor was closed and that stopped trade and hurt the colonists. They also powered up the Quartering Acts and the Townshend Acts which also gave more power to the government. -
First Continental Congress
The major personalities involved in this event include a convention of diligates from the 12 colonies. They met to discuss what to do about the Intolerable Acts. After they considered all their options, they decided to have and economic boycott of British trade, rights and protests, and they petitioned King George III for redress of those protests. This meeting took place at Carpenter's Hall in Philedelphia, PA. -
Lexington and Concord
Picture Source (This is a picture of Paul Revere on his famous ride.) Lexington and Concord was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The British suffered many losses. Americans considered the contest a good start to the war. Major generals were Colonial Smith, Major Pitcairn, and Lord Percy who commanded the British troops. Paul Revere rode to warn the villages on the route to Concord and the Congress. -
Second Continental Congress
This meeting was held in the Pennsylvania State House in Philedelphia. This meeting was mainly held to move toward independence. The ideas to support that were, managing the colonial war effort, appointing diplomats, making formal treaties, and adopting the US Declaration of Independance. The appointed president was Peyton Randolph. Benjamin Franklin was also present, along with John Hancock. -
Declaration of Independance
Picture Source (This is a picture of the Declaration of Independence) This was adopted by Continental Congress, it announced that the 13 American colonies were independant and no longer a part of the British Empire. Thomas Jefferson composed the original draft of this document. -
Articles of Confederation
Picture Source (This is a picture of the Articles of Confederation) These articles are also known as the first constitution for the United States. They are later replaced by the current constitution. John Hanson was the first president under these articles. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years' War. George III made peace negotiations and gave back stolen territories in hopes of getting rid of any conflict. John Jay, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin represented the United States in this treaty. They urged for the colonies to be given independence. (Continue Reading at "The Treaty of Paris Part II") -
The Treaty of Paris Part III
Picture Source (This is a picture of the United States' new borders.) Additionally, the preliminary article of peace was finally recognized by the British. -
The Treaty of Paris Part II
In the end, the U.S. was legitimized as an independent nation and its borders included far west of the 13 colonies. This webpage says, " The new country would be bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Mississippi River on the west, Florida on the south, and Canada and the Great Lakes on the north...the United States was permitted use of the Mississippi River." (Continue at "The Treaty of Paris Part III") -
The Start of the Constitutional Convention
This was a meeting first in Annapolis, Md. However, only 5 of 13 states showed there. A report was produced to the Congress and states, asking for a broader meeting to be held in Philidelphia. The main purpose of this gathering was to discuss and change the Articles of Confederation, because under the articles there was a weak central government.
