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Sep 17, 1215
Magna carta
Also known as Great Charter, forced upon King John to sign. Established limited government, which limited the monarch, or governments, power. Provided protection against loss of life, liberty, and property or unjust punishment, according to law -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The first legistlature in America, and was established 17 years after Jamestown. It held it's first meeting on July 30, 1619. -
Mayflower Compact
The mayflower Compact stands as the first example to many colonial plans of self government. 41 men represented all the pilgrim families. -
English Bill of Rights
A specific definition of what a ruler could and couldn't do. It incorporated many elements from the Magna Carta, and would become a very important document to the American colonies. Key ideas: Monarchs don't posses divine right to rule. Monarchs must also have Parliament's consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, or mainatain an army. Monarchs cannot interfere with parliamentary debates and elections. People have a right to petition the government and have a fast, fair trial by a jury of peers. -
French and Indian War
Threatened Briatin's hold on the American continent. Started originally as a struggle between the French and Bristish over lands in western Pennsylvannia and Ohio. By 1756, other European countries had also been involved in the war. -
Stamp Act
Was the first direct tax on the colonists. Taxes on legal documents, newspaper, pamphlets, dice, and even playing cards. Britain's inflow of money grew, as did the colonists resentments. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians, dumped342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from each of the colonies debated what they should do about the relationship between the Colonies and Great Britain. Finally imposed an embargo, an agreement prohibiting trade, on Great Briatin, and not to use products from Great Britain. -
Lexington and Concord
British troops clashed with colonial troops at Lexington and Concord in Massachuessetts. This was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Declaration of Independence
Was written by Thomas Jefferson, 56 delegates and the president of Congress signed the Declaration. Was written to justify their revolution and put founding principles forth for the new nation. -
Second Continental Congress
Lasted between 1776 and 1777. Instructed each colony to construct a constituents. Acted as government of the colonies during the war. Proposed the Articles of Confederation. -
Articles of Confederation
Continued the structure and operation of a government as established under the Second Coninental Congress, it was the confederation of the thirteen states. -
Peace Treaty with Great Britain
Also known as the Treaty of Paris, was created so that Great Britain would have to recognize American independence. -
Shay's Rebellion
Economic troubles lead to Shay's Rebellion. Armed farmers closed courts in order to prevent losing their farms. -
Constitutional Convention
Every state, besides Rhode Island, sent delegates. 74 delegates appointed, 55 attended, 39 took on a leading role. They eventually adopted a strong national government. They decided on vote per state per question. The meeting couldn't be held unless 7/13 delegates were present. They revised the Articles. They even abandoned government and began again. -
Virginia Plan
Proposed government should be based in three principles:
1. A strong national legislature with two chambers. Lower chosen by the people, and the upper chosen by the lower. The legislature would have power to bar any law unconstitutional.
2. A strong nation executive to be chosen by the national legislature.
3. A national judicary to be appointed by the legislature. -
New Jersey Plan
Smaller states made a counter proposal.To have agovernment based on keeping major feature of the Articles of Confederations- a unicameral legislature, one vote for each state. -
Connecticut Compromise
After a long debate, Riger Sherman's plan was adopted, that the legislature branch have two parts:
1. A House of Representatives, based on population.
2. A Senate with two members from each state. -
3/5 Compromise
Was a disagreement between the Northern States and the Southern States. South wanted blacks to be counted because then the could have more representation in the House. South didn't want blacks counted because then there would be more levying taxes. North wanted the blacks to be counted because they wanted higher taxes, but not for represenation. 3/5 settled the deadlock, 3/5 of blacks to be counted for tax and representation. -
Commerce/ Slave Trade
The North wanted the government to have complete control over trade with other nations, while the south was dependant on agriculture exorts. Congress could not ban slave trade till 1808.Congress was given power to regulate both interstate commerce, trade among states, and foriegn commerce. -
Rhode Island Ratifies
When Rhode Island finally voted for the new Consitution to be ratified. -
The Bill of Rights
First set of amendments, they approved 12 and ratified 10 in 1791. First ten became known as the Bill of Rights.
