The Road to the Constitution: Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jan 1, 1215

The Magna Carta included rights of trial by jury and due process of law, also limited the absolute power of the king. This English charter influenced future American policy.

Albany Plan of Union

Jan 1, 1754

A plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin to create an annual congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies that had the power to regulate trade, tax, and control the military.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

An act of rebellion by citizens of Boston against British taxation of tea. Those involved dumped tea overboard in Boston Harbor.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

Delegates from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia to discuss the bad situation with Britain. They sent a Declaration of Rights in protest to the king.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Delegates from each colony met to declare independence.

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

Adopted by the Second Continental Congress to declare independence from Britain, making colonial America an independent country.

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1777

The Articles of Confederation provided a basic structure for government in the United States, but did not give enough power to the central government.

Philadelphia Convention

May 25, 1787

Met to revise the Articles of Confederation to "fix" the problems with it, but ended up creating the Constitution.