-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is an Angevin charter originally issued in Latin in June 1215. It as an important part of the protracted historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in England and beyond. It was signed by King John in England. No freeman could be punished except through the law of the land. It gave liberties and accepted that his will was not arbitriary. -
Mayflower Compact
It was signed on November 11, 1620. It was bound for the Colony of Virginia. This inspired some of the passengers to proclaim that since the settlement would not be made in the agreed upon Virginia territory. It was a contract which settlers consented to follow the compact's rules and regulations for the sake of order and survival. -
Petition of Rights
The rights given to men included that no man should pay taxes unless in accordance with an act of parlimant, no man should be imprisioned without reason by the law, soldiers/sailors should not be billeted on private persons and commissions to punish soldiers and sailors by martial law should be abolished. The document was signed by Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights
Copy of the English Bill of RightsThe English Bill of Rights was passed on December 16, 1689 by the Convention Parliament. It layed down limits on the powers of the crown and sets out the rights of Parliament and their freedom of speech. The Convention Parliament proposed it to William and Mary who later passed it. It gave Englishmen the right of freedom to petition, no taxation, no royal interference with Parliament, and the freedom of speech. -
French and Indian War
It was between British America and New France. The battle of Jumonville Glen was known as the opening battle, Battle of Fort Bull. Battle of Carillon. There was no clear winner, only the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies. It was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. It never happened because the British representatives rejected the plan. The cartoon is called "Join or die" created by Ben Franklin. -
King George III takes power
King George III took the throne of Great Britain and Ireland on October 25, 1760. He reigned for longer than any other British Monarch. He strengthened the relationship between the British and the colonies by defending England from the French. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act required colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used including ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and playing cards. The colonial leaders believed this threatened their rights as British subjects. Since they had no say in Parliment the stamp act was not constitutional. -
Boston Massacre
It took place on March 5, 1770. British soldiers killed five civilians and injured 6 other people. The Massachusettes bay was a major shipping port then Townshend Acts were placed on the colonists. They called for a boycott of merchants importing the affected goods. -
Boston Tea Party
It was a key event in the growth of the American Revolution. It was the culmination of a resistance movement against the Tea Act. Parliament responded with the Intolerable Acts. -
Intolerable Acts
Video- What was included and results of the Intolerable ActsThey were created as a way to punish the colonists for rebelling against the king. It included the Boston Port Bill which closed the Port until it was restored, the Massachusettes Government Act which limited limited colonial government, the Administration of Justice act which allowed Britsh officials to return to England for trial and a revision of the Quarting Act which allowed British souldiers to house with american colonists. -
First Continental Congress
It was a convention of delegates from twelve colonies. It was called in response to the Intolerable acts. Some of the people that signed it were Samuel Adams, Robert Paine, William Livingston, and John Dickinson. It took place in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia. It was was hoping for British assistance with Indian problems on its frontier. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles resulted in the beginning of the fighting in the American Revolution. Smith, Pitcairne and Lord Percy were the Brtish generals. Militia were commanded by Barrett, Buttrick, Robinson and many others. Paul Revere rode to tell the villages on the route to Concord as well as Congress that the Britsh soldiers were coming. -
Second Continental Congress
It met in Philidephia, PA. It came up with several ideas including identifiying the militia as a Continental Army and electing George Washington as the commnader in cheif of this army. Involced colonical leaders include John Hancock, Thomas Jerferson, and Benjamin Franklin. -
Decleration of Independance
Thomas Jeferson wrote the draft, but Timorthy Matlack formally hand-wrote the document. The three major parts, a statement of individual rights, a list of griviances against the king and and a formal decleration of independance. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Conferderation OnlineThe first president under the articles was John Hanson. Strengths included that the government established the Department of Foregin Affaris, protocols were made for the admission of new states and government was able to operate post offices. Failures of the articles included that each state could issue its own paper money, there was no national army or navy and there was no system of national courts. -
The Treaty of Paris
The United States was represented by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, Americas boundaries extended to everything east of the Mississippi except for the Floridas and New Orleans. The British finally recognized the Decleration of Independence. -
Start of Constitutional Convention
At the Annapolis Convention 12 delegates from 5 states unanimously called for a constitutional convention. Its original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
