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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
"Great Charter"; A charter of rights signed by King John of England. It took some power away from the King and gave the Nobles and Peasants more power. -
Merchantilism Becomes Popular
Mostly used in the 1600s and 1700s, Mercantilism is a national economic policy designed to maximize exports and minimize imports, with the goal of prosperous trade. -
Mayflower Compact
Written and agreed to on the Mayflower, a short (in comparison with similar documents) agreement that essentially expressed self-government for the first time in the New World, setting an example for future governments. -
English Bill of Rights
An act passed by the Parliament of England that created a separation of powers and limited the powers of the monarchy, two ideas that would be later adopted into the United States government. -
Cato's Letters
Group of 144 essays published in the London Journal condemning corruption and lack of morality in the Political system. -
French and Indian War Begins
North American conflict in a larger imperial war between Great Britain and France, known as the Seven Years' War. -
Stamp Act
An act imposed onto the colonies by Britain that declared a tax on any piece of printed paper used. Later repealed alongside the Declaratory Act. -
Declaratory Act
Act that accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act, but stated that Britain had the same authority for taxes that it did in Britain, enabling it to (at least in their eyes) tax the Colonies the same that it could in Britain. -
Townshend Acts
Series of laws passed by Britain. Imposed taxes on imports of Paper, Tea, Paint, Lead, and Glass. Unsurprisingly not very popular with the Colonists. -
Boston Massacre
A riot that resulted in the death of several people, including both Colonists and British Soldiers (mostly colonists), leading to Colonist's views of Britain being tainted even more. -
Tea Act
Act imposed by Britain, with the goal of reducing the inventory of the financially-failing British East India Company. It allowed the company to ship its tea straight to the Colonies, instead of having to stop in England first. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest wherein American Colonists dumped tea into the ocean, due to not wanting "Taxation without Representation". This protest made the British Government angry and led to the Tea act. -
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
A set of Acts imposed onto the Colonies with the intent of restoring Britain's authority. The laws were meant to punish Colonists for the Boston Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
The first meeting of the Continental Congress, a group of representatives from 12 colonies (except Georgia). The first meeting was in response to the Intolerable Acts. 56 Delegates drafted a declaration of rights. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first two military engagements between the Colonies and Great Britain, beginning the Revolutionary War. The battle of Lexington resulted in 8 militia casualties, and 1 British death. Afterwards, the almost 400 militiamen fought off around 100 British in Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
This meeting of the Continental Congress was largely concerned with military purposes, mostly because of the recent battles of Lexington and Concord. A Continental Army was created, and George Washington was elected to be the supreme commander, who chose to serve without payment. -
Common Sense
A pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine. It advocated for independence from Britain and was directed towards those living in the 13 Colonies. It was published in 1776 and became widely popular. -
Declaration of Independence Approved
A document declaring the 13 Colonies' political independence from Great Britain. Pretty much one of, if not the most important document in United States history. The Declaration summarized the reasons for the Colonists' wants for independence and the announcement of their willingness to fight for their freedom. The approval of the Declaration is celebrated every July 4th (the day that the Congress approved the document).