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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the first document forced upon the King of England, John of England, limiting his power. The King signed it in England. It gave the people the right to be as equal under the law as the King. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first official governing document of Plymouth Colony and the New World. It set up a small set of rules that the new colonists were to follow. in order to establish order. -
Petition of Rights
It entitled citizens to Habeus Corpus, said taxes can only be changed by Parliament, outlawed marital law in peactime, and restated rules akin to the Magna Carta. It was signed by Parliament and Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights
A law passed by Parliament, inviting William and Mary to become joint soverigns of England, but limited their power so that they could not abuse it. It also let the people be freely Protestant and have freedom of speech in Parliament. -
French and Indian War
Click here for more information. The British and French fought for control of North America. It ended in 1763, with Britain winning and taking control of Canada. Some key battles include the Battle of Quebec and a battle at Ft. Duquesne. Relationships between the British and America were worsened because the Americans did not want to financially support the war. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin wrote the Albany Plan of Union to unite all 13 colonies to fight as one in the French and Indian War. It did not actually happen but set up for the Constitution. The "Join or Die" cartoon with a snake is associated with this. -
King George III takes power
King George III was in power during the Seven Year's War, American Revolution, French Revolution, and the Napoleonic reign. By winning in the French and Indian War, he made Britain become the ultimate power even in America. This strained the relationship with the colonies. He made Britain have more authority over the colonies. -
Stamp Act
Britain imposed a tax on certain documents like newspapers and playing cards. This was one of the many factors of the Revolutionary War. It was repealed on March 18, 1766. The colonial leaders tried to get the act repealed. -
Boston Massacre
Click here for a video of the Boston Massacre. The Boston Massacre was a street fight in Boston over taxes and oppression such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts that ended up with Britain soldiers killing 5 civilians after shooting into a large crowd. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty dumped an entire ship's worth of tea into the Boston Harbor in order to protest the tax on tea without consent. The Coercive Acts and the Intolerable Acts were made as a response by Parliament. -
Intolerable Acts
Series of laws passed over time by Parliament after the Boston Tea Party as punishment for it. The 1765 Stamp Act and Quebec Act, which enlarged the province of Quebec, were part of this. -
First Continental Congress
Most of the 13 colonies sent representatives to Carpenter's Hall, Philidelphia, which convened to discuss their reactions to the Intolerable Acts. Some key members were John Adams, John Jay, and Samuel Adams. The Congress ended up establishing a boycott of British goods and give way to the Second Continental Congress. -
Second Continental Congress
It succeeded the First Continental Congress, took place in Philidelphia, and managed the colonial warfare. They thought of how their new country should govern themselves in addition to handling the current revolution and eventually penned the Declaration of Independence. Major leaders included John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. -
Lexington and Concord
They were the first Revolutionary War battles, of which the British won. They started to Revolution. Paul Revere was famous for shouting "The British are coming!", warning the colonists, during this event. British Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and General Gage went against colonial militiamen. -
Articles of Confederation
A loose outline of the new American government. It was influenced by the defining rule of Britain. The Articles were replaced with the Constitution. Under the Articles, John Hanson was to be the first president. -
Declaration of Independence
For the full text click here. Written by the Second Continental Congress, it declared a basic outline of the new American government. It was designed to be somewhat strict, the opposite of the Articles of Confederation. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
A meeting in Philidelphia where delegates from different states to address problems in America. It was originally meant to revise the Articles of Confederation but ended in the making of the Constitution. The convention ended on September 17.
