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Feb 26, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document signed in 1215 in Runny Mede, England due to unsuccesful foreign policies and heavy taxation. King John was facing a possible rebellion, so he agreed to a charter of liberties called the Magna Carta. It placed him and all of England’s future leaders within a rule of law. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony.The document was based on a majority model and the settlers' allegiance to the king. It was signed primarily by the males to establish rules and regulations in this new found colony -
Petition of Rights
The Petition of Rights was a declaration of the rights and liberties of the people. The rights granted to people under this petition were 1) No freeman should be forced to pay any tax, loan, or benevolence, unless in accordance with an act of parliament;
2) No freeman should be imprisoned contrary to the laws of the land;
3) Soldiers/sailors should not be billeted on private persons
4) Commissions to punish soldiers/sailors by martial law should be abolished. King Charles I signed the petition -
English Bill of Rights
In 1689 a document was signed to give righs to the citizens of England called the English Bill of Rights. Presented by the Conventional Prliament, it was signed by William and Mary In December of 1689. It presented the rights to the citizens for the freedom to petition, no standing army without concent of Parliament, no taxation by Royal Perogative, freedom of speech, and no "cruel and unusual punishments" -
Intolerable Acts
The British passed the Intolerable Acts after the Boston Tea Party. The Colonists saw the Intolerable Acts as a violation to their constitutional rights, natural rights and saw it as cruel and unnecessary. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. It was suggested by a senior leader of the colonies, Benjamin Franklin. The plan was one of many attempts to form a union of the colonies. The political cartoon that was inspired was titled "join or die'' this cartoon was created by none other thatn Benjamin Franklin -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is a series of battles between France and Britian, with Spain later teaming up with France. Major battles include the British victories at Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac and the French-Canadian stronghold of Quebec. After the British won, they saw the colonies as a type of war support now. They had used the colonies to fight battles. -
French and Indian War Link
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King George III Takes Power
King George III was born in England, not like his father and grandfather. He became heir to the throne when his father took a blow to the chest and died of lung abscess. After the British defeated the French in the Fench and Indian War, King George decided that the colonies should have to pay for the cost of the war, but they were already taxed enough. This lead to a broken relationship between Britian and her colonies. -
Stamp Act
As a result of the Stamp Act, every piece of paper going through the colonies (playing cards, newspapers, letters, ect.) was taxed. This started with the Colonials fighting back with the popular phrase "No Taxation Without Representation." -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre, also known by the British as the Incident on King Street, was an incedent that resulted in the killing of 5 male citizens of Boston.The incedent occured due to a massive mob formation outside of a British post. A citizen (who was taunting the British) threw and object and struck a soldier in the head, knocking him onto the ground. When he got back up he retrieved his musket and shot into the crowd, beginning the Boston Massacre -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty organized The Boston Tea Party. The British were extremely angered by the Colonials for wasting what was 900 pounds (British money) at that point in time. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was all of the colonies coming together in Capenter's Hall in Philedelphia, PA to establish rules and acts. Payton Randolph, Henrey Middleton, and Charles Thompson all played major roles in the Congress. During the meeting they established The Intolerable Acts. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress took place in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The Congress faced the task of conducting a war already in progress. They needed to form an official army. During this meeting, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold lead a successful attack on Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, -
Lexington and Concord
The first official battle, also known as "the shot heard 'round the world". The colonials were lead by Sam Adams and John Hancock, whom won the battle. Paul Revere was also involved, he warned townspeople that the British troops were coming. -
Declaration of Independence
This a video on why the Declaration of Independence was written and about certain parts of the actual document. It mentions the fact that Thomas Jefferson states in the Declaration "All men are created equally" and how profound this statement is, especially for the time period. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. It was a formal statement of the colonies intentions. -
Declaration of Independence
The three main parts of the Declaration are the Preamble, the Body, and the Conclusion. The body lists grievances, and the conclusion states the actual declaration of independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the U.S. The first president under the Articles would be John Hanson. Three successes of the Articles was it established the name of the new confederation, the equal treatment of each state, and alloted one vote in Congress to each state. Three failures were, there was no tax base, no executive organizations outside of Congress, and there was no way of enforcing law. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris (1783) negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ended the revolutionary war.The United States was represented by Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and John Adams. All territory between the Allegheny Mountains on the East and the Mississippi River on the West became the new boundaries of the United States.The British finally recognized the Declaration of Independence. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
During the Constitutional Convention the idea of amending the Articles of Confederation was thrown out and the assembly began drawing up a new scheme of government. George Washington was elected convention president. At the Annapolis Convention five states met to discuss the issues dealing with the Articles of Confederation, which was the original purpose of the Convention -
Text Transcript of the Declaration of Independence
