-
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta (meaning Great Charter) was the first written constitution in European history. It’s 63 clauses concern the property rights of barons and powerful figures. The charter mainly benefited the elite class while most citizens still had little voice and government. -
Settlement of Virginia
The Colony of Virginia was chartered in 1606 settled in 1607. Virginia was the first enduring English colony in North America. It was founded by Virginia Company, initially settling in Jamestown on the north bank of the James River and Popham Colony on the Kennebec River (modern-day Main -
Establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the representative branch in the legislature of Virginia from 1619 to 1776. It was the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. Established by the Virginia Company, the goal of the House was to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America. -
Mayflower Compact
The agreement was a legal compact that bound the Pilgrims together when they arrived in New England. When the Pilgrims left England, they got permission from the King of England to settle on the land near the Hudson River (modern-day New York). Because they chose to stay where they landed in New England instead of the Hudson, they needed a patent to settle there. To establish civility and society, the adult male passenger of the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was sent to King Charles I from the English Parliament. The petition aimed for the four following principles: no taxation without the consent of Parliament, no imprisonment without cause, no quartering of soldiers on subjects, and no martial law in peacetime. -
Adoption of the Great Fundamentals
The Plymouth colonists organized a collection of laws that they compiled into a series titled “The General Fundamentals”. The declaration is considered to be one of the earliest forms of a representative government in the American Colonies. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Connecticut Colony Council adopted the Fundamental Orders. They describe the government set up by the Connecticut River towns, including its structure and powers. The River towns wanted the ocean to be open for access to trading. The Orders can be compared to a written constitution and are considered by some to be the first written Constitution in Western tradition. Among other things, the Orders gave men more voting rights and allowed more men to run for elected positions. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was a British law passed by the Parliament of Great Britain to declare the rights and liberties of citizens. The most important articles on the Bill of Rights are very similar to the Petition of Right. It hits on subjects like levying taxes without confirmation from Parliament and raising armies in peacetime. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan for Union was to unify the Thirteen Colonies. Over twenty representatives met to plan their defense dealing with the French and Indian War. The Albany plan was one of the original plans for unification. -
Beginning of French and Indian War
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Year War, officially began when England declared war on France. Before the war started, Britain and France have bickered and had minor disputes in North America. In 1756, Britain suffered a series of losses against France and their Native American allies. -
French and Indian War Ends
The Treaty of Hubertusburg and Paris ended the Seven Year War. In the Treaty, France had to give up Louisiana to Spain, lose all claims to Canada. Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and multiple oversees French holdings. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain. It imposed a direct tax on the British America colonies that required printed materials to carry a revenue stamp. This included legal documents, magazines, newspapers, and more. The stamp taxes had to be paid in British currency. The tax was supposed to was to pay for troops stationed in North America for the Seven Year War, but the act was very unpopular among colonists. -
Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts
The first act, the Boston Port Act, closed the port of Boston until the colonist paid for the destroyed tea. The Massachusetts Government Act took away Massachusetts charter and brought it under British government control. The Administration of Justice Act allowed the Royal governor to hold royal trials in places outside of Massachusetts if he deemed necessary. Finally, the Quartering Act sought to create more effective housing methods for British troops. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies in response to the Intolerable Acts. The Congress considered a variety of moves, like an economic boycott of British trade. They decided to petition King George III for remedy their grievances. They also called for another Continental Congress in case their petition was unsuccessful -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress succeeded the first one and included delegates from Georgia. This Congress now had delegates from all 13 colonies. The Second Congress managed the Colonial War effort and was pushing for a free nation. -
Common Sense Published
Writer Thomas Paine published his pamphlet titled “Common Sense” advocating American freedom. “Common Sense” was originally published anonymously and is considered to be one of the most influential pamphlets in American history. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence declared the Thirteen Colonies as thirteen independent sovereign states. The document was ratified on July 4, which is what Americans celebrate as Independence Day, and announced their separation from British rule.
