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Jun 11, 1215
Magna Carta
Magna Carta means “The Great Charter‘ and is considered one of the most important documents in HIstory. The magna Carta states that everyone is subject to the law. The Magna Carta is seen as both a symbol and substance for the rule of law and also liberty. It is still to this day seen as a symbol of liberty and is greatly respected by the British and American politics. -
Petition of Rights
The petition of rights was statement of liberties that was sent to the English Parliament. The petition was made up of complaints and sought recognition. They hoped to have no taxation without the consent of Parliament, no imprisonment without cause, no quartering of soldiers on subjects, and no martial law in peacetime. -
English Bill of Rights
This bill’s purpose is to limit the power of the monarchy. This was because of the various illegal practices of James II. The bill also outlined specific rights of individuals. The bill gave freedoms such as petitioning the king, Speech in Parliament and Freedom to elect members of parliament. -
1st Continental Congress
The continental congress served as the government for the 13 American Colonies. The first congress consisted of 56 delegates and determined how the colonies should react to what. The colonies felt that their rights and liberties were at threat. The congress wanted to both protest parliamentary acts and restore the relationship Britain. -
2nd Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was composed of many of the same members as the Frist. The second Congress managed the colonial war effort and supported the war financially. They also gave command of the Army to George Washington. It was with the guidance of this congress that the United States declared independence on July 4th, 1776. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document approved by the Continental Congress. The document announced the separation of the 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was actually officially voted on July 2nd but was not adopted until the 4th. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of confederation was the first constitution for the United States as a country. The constitution served as a bridge between the initial government and the federal government. The article gave Congress no power to enforce a lot of its requests which caused the government’s effectiveness to lose meaning. -
Constitutional Convention
The constitutional convention is also referred to as a constituent assembly. Its purpose was the amend the articles of Confederation. The convention was held at independence hall and was actually kept a secret that congress had decided to create a new constitution. -
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government. It suggested that the government should act only on the states and not the people directly. They also wanted to give the legislative branch the right to make laws and keep individual states the right from making laws stopping trade between states. -
Ratification
The ratification process started when Congress turned the Constitution over to the state legislatures for consideration. Five states agreed to approve the constitution and in the end, four of the five states did ratify because they felt a strong national government could restrain abuses by their neighboring states.
