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Magna Carta
First served as the foundation for the English system of common law. Then, later generations of Englishmen would celebrate it as a symbol of freedom from oppression. Finally the Founding Fathers of the United States would look to the charter as a historical precedent for asserting their liberty from the English crown. -
Jamestown Settled
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America on the banks of the James river. Founded by the Virginia Company of London. Jamestown was a business venture that had a rough start. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower compact was the first document to establish self-government in the New World. The Mayflower compact was an early yet successful attempt at democracy undoubtedly played a role in future colonists seeking permanent independence from British rule. -
Petition of Right
Petition sent by English Parliament to the King complaining about several breaches of the law. The Petition of Right was made up of four main principles; No taxes may be levied without consent of Parliament, no subject may be imprisoned without cause shown, no soldiers may be quartered upon the citizenry, and martial law may not be used in times of peace. -
English Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights outlined specific constitutional and civil rights and ultimately gave Parliament power over the monarchy. The Bill of Rights limited the power of the monarchy, elevated the status of Parliament, and outlined specific rights of individuals. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was the first time all of the colonies came together under one roof. Organized by Benjamin Franklin, the purpose of the Albany Plan of Union was to create a unified government for the 13 colonies. After deciding to meet each year it was rejected by the British government. -
Stamp Act
After the Seven Years' War, Britain needed to begin to repay their massive debt which had doubled. They imposed the stamp act on the North American colonists which put a tax on wills, deeds, newspapers, pamphlets and even playing cards and dice -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a deadly riot that began as a street brawl between American colonists and a lone British soldier, but quickly escalated to a chaotic, bloody slaughter. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a reaction to the British government imposing a tax on imported tea by the American colonists. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a response to the Boston Tea Party. They were given the name "Intolerable Acts" by American Patriots who felt they simply could not "tolerate" such unfair laws. The Intolerable Acts were the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, the Quartering Act, and the Quebec act. -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress met in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. All of the colonies except Georgia sent delegates. The colonies presented there were united in a determination to show a combined authority to Great Britain -
American Revolution Begins
The American Revolution began at the battle of Lexington. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia in the summer of 1775. The Congress appointed George Washington as commander of the Continental Army, and authorized the raising of the army through conscription. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule. -
Shays Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion was a series of violent attacks on courthouses and other government properties in Massachusetts that began in 1786 and led to a full-blown military confrontation in 1787. Shays Rebellion was a group of rebel farmers who opposed excessive property taxes. -
Philadelphia Convention
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia met between May and September of 1787 to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. -
Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise was adopted at the Constitutional Convention, providing the states with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives.
