-
Jun 19, 1215
Magna Carta
Day In History: The Magna Carta This was a document forced to the King to limit his power and protect the priviliges of the citizens. It was signed by King John in England. The Magna Carta prevented the king from taking property. He could not tax people unless a council of men agreed, people could not be put on trial without witnesses, and they could be punished only by a jury. -
Mayflower Compact
They wrote it to flee from religious persecution. The picture is part of the May Flower Compact. It was the first document that governed the Plymouth Colony -
Petition of Rights
The rights granted included non-Parliamentary taxation, imprisonment without cause, and restriction of the use of the martial law. King Charles was the first to sign the document. It profoundly influenced the constitution of America. -
English Bill of Rights
Video on Bill of Rights it was a restatement in statutory form of the Declaration of Right. King John II and Parliament were involved in the signing of the Bill of Rights. This bill ensures freedom and secures Protestant political surpremacy -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies. The picture is of the popular politcal cartoon that is associated with it. It was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. It did not become a reality. Franklin was the cartoon artist. -
Period: to
French and Indian War
It was also know as the Seven Years War. The major players were France and Great Britain. The major battles included Battle of Quebec, and Battle of Quiberon Bay. The British ultimately won the war. Because of Britain's national debt after the war, they had to impose new taxes onto the colonies. This led to the American Revolution. -
King George III Takes Power
During his reigh, Great Britian defeated France in the Seven Years war, becoming the dominant European power in North America. -
Stamp Act
The items taxed were printed materials. The colonists did not send representatives to Parliament and so there was no influence over what taxes were raised. The image is of a protest poster against the Stamp Act. It was originally imposed to pay for the debts from the Seven Years War -
Boston Massacre
It was spawned from the tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts. There was five people killed in the massacre. The Townshend Acts were spawned as a result of this tragedy. -
Boston Tea Party
The image is of a painting of the Boston Tea Party. A major inaccuracy with this painting is that this takes place in the day time when in reality it took place at night. The colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and threw tea into sea. It was in response to the taxation. The Sons of Liberty organized this event. The British responded in 1774 with the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, whoich ended local self-government in Massachusetts, and closed Boston's commerce. -
First Continental Congress
The image is a painting of the first meeting of the First Continental Congress. Fifty-six members appointed by legislatures from twelve colonies showed up. All colonies were represented, save for Georgia. This meeting took place in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had a compact among colonies to boycott British goods, and ceased to export to Great Britain. -
Intolerable Acts
The Boston Tea Party spurred these acts. The picture is a list of the acts included in the Intolerable Acts. The acts stripped Massachusetts of self-government and historic rights. -
Lexington and Concord
The picture is a painting depicting a battle scene during Lexington and Concord. The Intolerable Acts were the rsult of these conflicts. A famous general involved was General Thomas Gage. Paul Revere warned Concord of what the British were planning, and also when they were coming. -
Second Continental Congress
The picture to the left of the meeting. It's in black and white to show the more serious tone taking place within the group of men. is The meeting place was at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The US Declaration of Independence was one of the ideas that was adopted at this meeting. They wanted to raise armies, direct strategy, appoint diplomats, and make formal treaties. Ben Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson were among the men involved. -
Declaration of Independence
The picture of fireworks is used to represent America's official separation from Britain. It was when America delcared their freedom and separation from Britain, intending to become their own soverign country. -
Period: to
Articles of Confederation
The first president under the Articles was John Hanson. It was an agreement among thirteen founding states that established the US as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. -
Treaty of Paris
History Channel on the Treaty of ParisJohn Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay represented the US in its signing. The British finally recognized the Declaration of Independence. The new terriroty ranged from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. From the Great Lakes and Canada to the thirty-first parallel in the south. The US fleet was also guaranteed fishing access in Newfoundland. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
The picture is a list of the names of those in attendance at the convention. They produced a report that asked support for a broader meeting to be held the next may in Philadelphia. The original purpose was to obtain a more powerful, more financially independent federal government.
