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Jun 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John, in Runnymede (near Windsor). His subjects were given the right to own and inherit property and be protected from excessive taxes. Also, widows who owned property were given the right to remain unmarried.
Caption: This is a photo of King John signing the Magna Carta. -
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Mayflower Compact
The purpose behind this document was to set up a government within the settlers who were on the Mayflower, and it was created by those to be governed. It was written with fair and equal laws for the general good of the people.
Caption: This is an image of the Mayflower. This is significant because the settlers who were on the Mayflower were the people who came up with the Mayflower Compact. -
Petition of Rights
Under this petition, the people were granted rights such as: no taxes without the Parliament's consent, no imprisonment without shown cause, soldiers can't be put in private houses, and martial law can't be used in times of peace. Charles I was the man who signed this document. -
English Bill of Rights
William and Mary signed this document. The people were guaranteed free elections, and the English people were given the right to complain to the king or queen in parliament (free speech). Also, it forbids excessive fines and cruel punishment.
Caption: This is a photo of William and Mary. These are the two people who were involved in the signing of the English Bill of Rights, and that's why this image is significant. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin suggested this plan. The Albany Plan of Union never actually happened because the plan was rejected. "Join or Die" is the political cartoon associated with this suggested meeting, and it was created by Benjamin Franklin.
Caption: This photo is significant because it is an image of the popular political cartoon that is associated with the Albany Plan of Union. -
French and Indian War
The major players in this conflict were the American colonists, the French, many Native American tribes, and the British. Some of the major battles include: Battle of Quebec, Battle of Quiberon Bay, Massacre at Fort William Henry. Ultimately, the British won this conflict. A strain was placed on the relationship between America and Great Britain. -
King George III takes power
The French and Indian War put a strain on the relationship between the British and the colonies.
Caption: This is a painting of King George III. -
Stamp Act
Some items that were taxed because of the Stamp Act include: paper, playing cards, newspapers, books, and pamphlets. The colonial leaders were resistant of this, and it was clear that they greatly disapproved of it. -
Boston Massacre
In this event, only 6 people were killed. Before this began, British soldiers were making sure none of the drunk townspeople got violent. Men started to throw snowballs and taunt the soldiers, and one soldier was hit in the head with a club. While this soldier was falling, his weapon went off and the colonists thought it was a command to fire. -
Boston Tea Party
The political group that organized this event was the Sons of Liberty. In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British set up the Intolerable Acts, which closed the Boston ports and destroyed Massachusetts' government.
Caption: This is an image depicting the Boston Tea Party, with all of the tea being dumped into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress
The major personalities who were involved in this event were Payton Randolph, Henry Middleton, and Charles Thomas. The Congress consisted of 55 delegates who were selected from 12 of the 13 colonies. As a result of the meeting, the "Suffolk Resolves" were approved, the Continental Association was created (established a committee in each town to oversee a boycott of British goods), and a published version of American rights was made up. It took place in Carpenter Hall. -
Intolerable Acts
The Boston Tea Party is what caused the British to pass these acts. The Intolerable Acts were like a punishment for the colonies, forcing them back under the submission and power of the king. Also, these acts punished the colonists for the money that was wasted from the Boston Tea Party.
Caption: This image is significant to the Intolerable Acts because it is a photo of the Boston Tea Party. This event was basically the reason for the creation of these acts. -
Lexington and Concord
The result of these conflicts was the Revolution. The colonists had to choose which side they wanted to fight on. Many were killed and wounded in Lexington and Concord. For the British, General Gage was the major general. For the colonists, the two major generals were John Parker and James Barrett. Paul Revere is significant to this because his midnight ride warned the minutemen that the British were coming.
Caption: This is Paul Revere, and he is remembered for saying, "The British are coming!" -
Second Continental Congress
This event took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During this meeting, how exactly the colonists could meet the military threat of the British was discussed, and the Continental Army was created. Also, it was determined that George Washington would be the supreme commander, and it was determined how supplies would be paid for (they would print money). Leaders involved in this event include: Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and John Hancock. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Its 3 major parts include: statements of intent that outline the basic principles of the leaders, a list of grievances, and it dissolves ties with Britain.
Caption: This is an image of the Declaration of Independence, but it is showing the various signatures of the men who signed the Declaration back in 1776. -
Articles of Confederation
John Hanson was the first president under the Articles. 3 successes of the Articles of Confederation are they brought the states together, the Congress was established, and they made war and peace. 3 failures include: it created a weak national government, it provided no seperation of branches, and the Congress couldn't enforce its laws on the states or the people. -
The Treaty of Paris
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay all represented the United States in the signing of this treaty. All land from the Great Lakes to Florida and the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River (the Northwest Territory) became the new boundaries of the United States. The British finally recognized the Declaration of Independence.
Caption: This is a map showing the land and territories that became known as the boundaries of the United States because of the treaty. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
At the Annapolis Convention, delegates met in order to change the Articles of Confederation. The original purpose of this, however, was to revise the Articles.
