Early American Government

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The 1215 Charter required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties, and accept that his will was not arbitrary. This means that people were given a right to their own belongings.

Jamestown Settled

May 13, 1607

This was when the colonists chose the site of Jamestown Island to build a three-sided fort. These were the first origins of the United States.

Mayflower Compact

Nov 11, 1620

This was drawn up by governor William Bradford on the Mayflower. It made peace among the colonists on the ship.

Petition of Right

Jun 1, 1628

This was a statement of civil liberties sent by the english parliament. This forced colonists to house soldiers since the economy was not flourishing.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

This was a bill of rights forced upon the colonies. This was by British parliament.

Albany Plan of Union

Jun 1, 1754

This was a developed union after the power struggle between France and England over the colonies. The union resided between the colonies.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

This was a new tax imposed on all american colonists. They had to pay a tax on all paper they used.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This was the killing of five colonists by british soldiers. This caused a huge rebellion from the colonists,

Intolerable acts

Mar 5, 1770

This was after the French and Indian war. Higher taxes were forced upon the colonies.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

When officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, this caused a uproar among colonists. They then boarded the ships and proceeded to throw the tea into the harbor.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

The first meeting was with twelve of the thirteen colonies. They wanted to right the wrongs that had been inflicted on the colonies.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

The second Continental congress started right after the battle of Lexington and Concord. The Egland militia were still trying to drive out British, so they established militia at the second Continental Congress.

Declaration of Independece

Jul 4, 1776

This was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress. It announced that the thirteen American colonies that were at war with Great Britain were now independent states.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

The articles of Confederation were first thought of July 1775. Although, this was not fully adopted by every state until march 1, 1781. This was the beginning of the United States of America.

American Revolution

Oct 14, 1781

This was the final severance of ties with Britain. The declaration of Independence was issued.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 1, 1786

This was a clash between New England Farmers, and Merchants. This lead to the creation of the Constitution.

Connecticut Comprimise

Jan 1, 1787

This is known as the Great Compromise. It allowed equal representation of small and large states.

Constitution Convention

May 25, 1787

This was also known as the Philadelphia Convention. The point of this was to address problems in governing the United States of America.

Philadelphia Convention

Sep 14, 1787

Also known as the Constitutional Convention. 55 delegates from the states met and started establishing a Constitution.