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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John on the banks of the river Thames. The Magna Carta was meant to limit the kings power and accept that the kings will is not allowed to be completely arbitrary. The Magna Carta basically established a democracy and allowed the people the ability to overrule their king -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It's intention was to unify the colonists and attempt to establish a sort of brotherhood in which they are venues to settle disputes and civil disturbances, and where each colonist agrees to act towards the betterment of the colony as a whole. -
Petition of Rights
Restritcts martial law, gave way to habeas corpus, ceases forced billeting of soldiers, and resrticts non-Parliamentary taxation. This was signed by King Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was presented by the Convention parliament to King William and Mary, who singned it. The English Bill of Rights limited the power of the crown, gave the right to petition the monarchy, and required regular elections to parliament. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan was a plan to unite the thirteen colonies of North America. Benjamin Franklin, a senior member of congress, suggested this plan. It did not ever happen. The political cartoon entitled "Join, or Die" depicting a snake cut into sections, was created by Benjamin Franklin. -
King George III takes power
King George ascends easily to the position of king, but his rule is beset with military conflict and strife. Great Britain defeats France in the French and Indian War and acquires a great many territories as a result of this. The relationship between Britain and the colonies begins to become strained, as King George demands more and more out of them without reciprocating to them equal rights. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war is the name from the American section of the Seven Years War. This war was fought mostly between the colonies of Great Britain and France. The British led many attacks up the North-Eastern side of the United States, including the raids on Fort Duquesne, Fort St. Frederic, and Fort Beaseujour. The British ultimately win, this war strained the already hot tensions between Britain and the New World. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a tax on all printed material that required the material to be printed on British stamped paper and bear a seal of approval. This enraged colonial leaders in the 12 colonies. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an armed altercation between British army soldiers and unarmed civilians. Five colonists were killed in the chaos. These soldiers were there to enforce the Townshend Acts, which the colonists found unfavorable. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty involving multiple chests of tea being overthrown from boats docked in Boston Harbor. The British responded with violence and this escalated into the American Revolution. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress is the name given to the meeting of the delegates from the 12 colonies at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Patrick Henry, John Adams, Roger Sherman, George Washington, and Richard Henry Lee were all present at the convention. The result of this meeting was a boycott on British goods was enacted. The decision was also made that if the "intolerable acts" were not repealed, than a ban on exports to Britain would be put into place. -
Lexington and Concord
Was the first military engagement of the Civil War. After this, Boston was surrounded by a milita army, and that signaled the beginning of the Revolutionary War. General Hugh Percy, General Gage, and General Heath were all involved. -
Second Continental Congress
Was a convention of delegates from the 13 colonies that met up in the Pennsylvania State House. The Second Continental Congress handled military affairs and proposed the idea of independence, signing the Declaration in 1776. The Colonial Leaders involved were Bejamin Frankln, John Hancock, Thomas Jefforson, and George Washington. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence declared our indepedence. It was written by Thoma Jefferson. The sections are: The Preamble, the List of Grievances, and the formal Declaration of Independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was put into place as the first form of constitution for the United States. Under the Articles, George Washington was named the first president. The Articles successfully unified the new colonies of the United States, allowed the U.S. to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and helped deal with domestic territorial issues in the new United States. -
The Treaty of Paris
Officially ended the Revolutionary War. Bejamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, and Henry Laurens represented the United States. The territory given to the United States stretched down to the south and west to the Mississippi. This meant that the British finally recognized the Articles of Confederation -
Start of Constitutional Convention
Ultimately, the Constitutional Convention changed our government as opposed to fix it, it's primary intention was to fix the Articles of Confederation, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (among others) derailed this plan. -
Intolerable Acts
The intolerable acts was the name given to a series of strict punitive laws enacted on the colonies by Great Britain. The Intolerable Acts were enacted as a direct response to the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and The Quarter Act were all enacted as a part of provisions of the Intolerable Acts.
