Unit II- Origins of American Government

Magna Carta

1215

a document signed by King John in 1215 granting rights to the people of England. Meant to limit the power of the Crown.

Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

Charles I signed a contract in 1628 that further reduced the Crown's power. It attacked the concept of divine right. Rights included freedom from unjust detention or punishment, freedom from martial law during a period of peace, and freedom from taxation without Parliament's permission.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

written up in 1689 to prevent the abuse of power at the end of England's Glorious Revolution, when William and Mary of Orange were offered the kingdom. The English Bill of Rights outlawed a standing army during peacetime, declared that all English citizens had the right to petition the monarch, mandated free parliamentary elections, and included rights found in the Magna Carta and the Petition of Right.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

A delegation from each of the thirteen colonies (excluding Georgia) gathered in Philadelphia to assess the situation with England and decide how to respond. They sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III, protesting the harsh laws that had been placed on them. They urged the colonies to halt all trade with Britain until things improve.
Lasted until May 10, 1775

Revolutionary War

Apr 19, 1775

The conflict was fought primarily between England and the American colonies. The war began at Lexington and Concord, after Britain repeatedly failed to listen to the colonists' protests over the strict laws imposed on them. On the American side, it was controlled by the Second Continental Congress, followed by a Congress under the Articles of Confederation. It was finalized by the Treaty of Paris.
Lasted until September 13, 1783

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

Delegates from each of the thirteen colonies convened in Philadelphia to form our nation's first government. This council appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief. The Second Continental Congress operated as a government from the signing of the Declaration of Independence until the Articles of Confederation were implemented, recruiting troops, establishing treaties, and purchasing supplies throughout the war.
Lasted until March 6, 1781

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1775

This proclamation declared America's independence from Britain roughly a year after the Revolutionary War began. Following the signing of this agreement, the United States of America became an established country of independent states.

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1775

The earliest governing structure in the United States. Work on this document began immediately following the Declaration of Independence, but it was not adopted on March 1, 1781.

Constitutional Convention

May 25, 1787

met to examine and resolve the difficulties identified in the Articles of Confederation. Lasted until September 23, 1787.

Ratification of the Constitution

Sep 17, 1787

After several compromises, 39 of the 41 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the contemporary Constitution into law.