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1215
Magna Carta is passed
Magna Carta provided the basis for the principle of limited government, in which the power of the monarch, or government, was limited, not absolute. The rights originally applied only to the nobolity but over time, opponents of absolute monarchy used this document to gain more political liberties. -
First colony is established at Jamestown
Jamestown was a striking contrast of self-government inherited from the English colonies. Enables Americans to voice their opinions without fear or reprisal, to choose their leaders, and to take an active role in shaping the nation and communities in which they live. -
English Bill of Rights is passed
The English Bill of Rights was created to set limits on what a ruler could and couldn't do. The key idea if this bill was the monarchs do not have absolute authority. -
British defeat of the French in the French and Indian War
The French and British were fighting over land in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Great Britain ended up winning and gained complete control of the eastern third of the continent. -
Stamp Act is passed
Imposed the first direct tax on the colonists for tea, sugar, glass, paper, and other products. It required them to pay a tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and even dice and playing cards. This Act eventually got repealed. -
Stamp Act congress meet
Nine colonies sent delegates to a meeting in New York. This was the first meeting organized by the colonies to protest against King George's actions. Delegates to the Congress sent a petition to the king, arguing that only colonial legislatures could impose direct taxes. -
The Boston Tea Party
Colonists refused to buy British goods. A group of colonists dressed as Mohawk and dumped 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. This was so the colonists could rebel and protest against the British and their taxes on tea. -
Intolerable (Coercive) Acts are passed
One of these acts closed Boston Harbor. Another withdrew the right of Massachusetts colony to govern itself. -
First Continental Congress meets
Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia. The delegates debated about what to do about the relationship with Great Britain. They imposed an embargo. This was an agreement prohibiting trade on Britain and agreed to not use British goods. If Britain didn't change their policies, they proposed another meeting for the following year. -
Second Continental Congress meets
All thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia yet again. This Congress assumed powers of a central government. John Hancock voted to organize an army and navy and to issue money. George Washington was made commander of a newly organized Continental Army. -
"Shot heard 'round the world" is fired
This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The first blow fell early on the morning of April 19, 1775. British Redcoats clashed with colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. -
The Declaration of Independence is signed
On July 2, 1776, colonies finally broken off with Great Britain. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman all came together to create a draft. They ended up removing a couple of passages and edited it, the Congress approved the final draft. This declaration drew together ideas of proclaiming freedom. It was to justify the revolution and to put forth the founding principles of the new nation. -
Unanimous (13th state passes) ratification of the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence was actually called 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America'. This was a statement of the reasons for independence. Declaring freedom from the British. -
The Constitutional Convention begins
George Washington retired but was still having worries over Maryland and Virginia. He invited representatives from both states to discuss at Mount Vernon. They talked about their currencies, import duties, and navigation on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. This meeting was very successful. All states sent delegates except Rhode Island and 55 state legislatures. Out of all of these people who attended, 39 signed the final constitution. -
Ratification (passage) of the Articles of Confederation
The new government began once Virginia and New York ratified it. New York City became the Nation's temporary capital. George Washington was elected as president. They put in place the first 12 amendments during the first session of Congress. All 12 of them were approved.