-
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
It was written by 13th century barons to protect their property and rights from the king. This was the first document that stated everyone including the king has to follow a law. -
Petition of Right
King Charles I broke up Parliament and decided to rule England by himself. The government presented this document reminding him of Magna Carta and limited the king's power. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights limited the power of the English Sovereign. It was written as an act of Parliament and taken as a condition to rule. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin proposed to create a unified government for thirteen colonies at the Albany Congress. Although this plan did not work, it was the first proposal to have a unified government. -
Boston Massacre
It waa a street fight between a crowd and a squad of British soldiers. The soldiers fired on the crowd and five colonists were killed. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists protest against increased taxes on tea. They destroyed tea shipped by the East India Company.. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from thirteen colonies met to mainly discuss the consequences of Boston Tea Party. The Britishers enacted the Coercive Acts which stated that mechant shipping to Boston was closed and Massachusetts was under British military. This led to a resistance against British government and military. -
Second Continental Congress
It followed the First Continental Congress and managed the colonial war effect by raising armies, directing strategy, making treaties and appointing diplomats. It eventually led to the declaration of independence. -
Declaration of Independence
A statement that declared the thirteen American colonies as independent. It also formed the main idea that All men are created and equal and have freedom. -
The Articles of Confederation
The first constitution adopted by the Congress of United States. There was no president or national court and most powers were given to state legislatures. -
Shay's Rebellion
Farmers attached courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms. It violated the Articles of Confederation. -
Philadelphia Convention
It originally took place to fix the problems in the Articles of Confederation. They had discussions about how to divide power. Eventually, they decided to create a new government instead of fixing the problems. -
Virginia Plan
James Madison proposed this plan at the Constitutionsl Convention. His plan included strong central government divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches. -
Louisiana Purchase
United States purchased acres of territory from France for $15 million. This was considered the most important achievement during Thomas Jefferson's presidency. -
Monroe Doctrine
Doctrine against European countries trying to colonize North and South America. It guaranteed that no European country will try to take over America. -
Thirteenth Amendment
This amendment abolished slavery except as a punishment of crime. It expanded the civil rights of America, after civil war. -
Force Act
A series of acts passed by the Congress to ensure the rights proposed bt the fourteenth and fifteenth amendment. It ensured penalties to anyone that interfered with registration, voting, officeholding or jury service of blacks. -
Nineteenth Amendment
Women were granted the right to vote. Women lectured, marched and practiced civil disobedience to receive suffrage. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 showed support for the Brown v. Board of Education. It ensured everyone had the equal right to vote. -
New Jersey Plan
William Paterson proposed this plan at Philadelphia Convention against the Virginia Plan. He suggested the one vote per state idea instead of basing votes on population. This gave smaller states equal power for voting.
