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U.S. Government Timeline - JJ

  • 1215

    Limited Government

    Limited Government
    King John signed the Magna Carta. Rule of man to rule of law. Outlined individual rights that the king couldn't violate. Taxation and trial provisions.
  • Jamestown's House of Burgesses

    Jamestown's House of Burgesses
    The first democratically elected legislative body in British North America
  • Mayflower Compact

    Mayflower Compact
    Each charter guaranteed colonists the "rights of Englishmen".
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right
    King Charles required to sign the Petition of Right. It required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before new taxes. Government couldn't unlawfully imprison people.
  • Civil War

    Civil War
    Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into Civil War. Charles defeated by being beheaded.
  • Crown and Parliament

    Crown and Parliament
    Renewed conflicts and rebellion between the Crown and Parliament
  • William and Mary rule

    William and Mary rule
    They were chosen to rule but had to govern according to statues of Parliament
  • English Bill of Rights

    English Bill of Rights
    The English Bill of Rights was passed. Guaranteed free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment
  • Sugar Act

    Sugar Act
    This act cut the role on foreign molasses from 6 to 3 pence per gallon, kept a high role on foreign refined sugar, and prohibited the importation of all foreign rum.
  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    First direct tax on paper goods and legal documents.
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    British soldiers fired into a crowd and five colonists died.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    Dumped British Tea into the harbor.
  • Intolerable Acts

    Intolerable Acts
    Quartering of the British troops.
  • Declaration of Independence Signed by Delegates

    Declaration of Independence Signed by Delegates
    Likely drawn from the Virginia Declaration of Rights and inspired by John Locke. Signed by the delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress.
  • Articles of Confederations

    Articles of Confederations
    First National Government. "Colonies were to keep their sovereignty, freedom, and independence."
  • Articles of Confederations Ratified

    Articles of Confederations Ratified
    Delegates aimed to have a confederation but got ratified.
  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay's Rebellion
    Massachusetts farmers rebelled over prospect of losing land.
  • The Constitutional Convention

    The Constitutional Convention
    Drafting a new constitution.
  • Period: to

    Dual Federalism

    State and national governments were equal authorities operating within their own spheres of influence. Strict reading. National government only had powers listed in the constitution.
  • Print Media

    Print Media
    Federalist paper Gazette of the United
    States published
  • Whigs and National Gazette

    Whigs and National Gazette
    Whigs countered with National Gazette
  • 6th Amendment

    6th Amendment
    In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.
  • 7th Amendment

    7th Amendment
    In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved.
  • 2nd Amendment

    2nd Amendment
    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
  • 5th Amendment

    5th Amendment
    Ensures the protection against self-incrimination.
  • 1st Amendment

    1st Amendment
    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
  • 8th Amendment

    8th Amendment
    Freedom from excessive bail, fines, and cruel punishments.
  • 3rd Amendment

    3rd Amendment
    No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
  • 4th Amendment

    4th Amendment
    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things.
  • 10th Amendment

    10th Amendment
    Any powers that are not specifically given to the federal government, nor withheld from the states, are reserved to those respective states, or to the people at large.
  • 9th Amendment

    9th Amendment
    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
  • 11th Amendment

    11th Amendment
    The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
  • 12th Amendment

    12th Amendment
    The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed.
  • McCulloch vs. Maryland

    McCulloch vs. Maryland
    Maryland taxed the national bank. Court ruled bank was necessary and proper.
  • Democratic-Republican Split

    Democratic-Republican Split
    After 1824, Democratic-Republican party split into today’s two major parties-Democrats, Republicans
  • Morrill Act

    Morrill Act
    Granted large tracts of land to states; states sold land and used money for colleges
  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment
    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
  • Period: to

    Population Double

    Expanding National Power made the population of the US double.
  • 16th Amendment

    16th Amendment
    Gave Congress the authority to set a federal income tax
  • Radio

    Radio
    Radio became first form of electronic media
  • Native American Citizenship

    Native American Citizenship
    Native Americans were granted citizenship
  • Number of Reps

    Number of Reps
    Total number of Reps fixed by the law at 435
  • Period: to

    Cooperative Federalism

    States and national governments worked together to deal with the Great Depression.
  • Television

    Television
    Television replaced radio as most influential
    electronic media
  • Period: to

    Civil Rights Movement

    Give minority interests voice in political process, such
    as civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s
  • Period: to

    Great Society

    Government program to eliminate poverty and social inequality. Johnson created creative federalism, which released national funds to achieve national goals.
  • New Federalism

    New Federalism
    Returned some authority to state governments.
  • Amount of Eligible Voters

    Amount of Eligible Voters
    Less than 65% of eligible voters have
    voted in each presidential election
    since 1996.
  • Issues in Federalism

    Issues in Federalism
    Congress gave states the authority to manage welfare systems with block grants.
  • Homeland Security

    Homeland Security
    Reorganization of agencies already in place.