Origins of American Government

  • Founding of Jamestown

    Founding of Jamestown
    This was the first settlement in America but failed due to attacks and the "starving time" in whic only 60 of the 214 survived.
  • House of Burgesses

    House of Burgesses
    First Representative government to form in America
  • Founding of Plymouth

    Founding of Plymouth
    The first settlement of America in Massachusetts. Founded bya group of separatists, who later became known as pilgrams.
  • Mayflower Compact

    Mayflower Compact
    This was the fist governing document signed by 41 of the 101 passengers aboard the Mayflower declaring indepentent and free from any other governing body.
  • The Pennsylvania Gazette

    The Pennsylvania Gazette
    Benjamin Franklin begins publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette, which eventually becomes the most popular colonial newspaper.
  • Currency Act

    Currency Act
    The Currency Act is passed by the English Parliament, banning the issuing of paper money by the New England colonies.
  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    Fought between the colonies of British america and New rance, with both sides supported by military units from Great Britain and France, as well as Native American allies.
  • Albany Plan of Union

    Albany Plan of Union
    This was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government.
  • Sugar Act

    Sugar Act
    The Sugar Act is passed by the English Parliament to offset the war debt brought on by the French and Indian War and to help pay for the expenses of running the colonies and newly acquired territories.
  • Sons of Liberty

    Sons of Liberty
    An organization of patriots that was the first to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight the abuse of taxation.
  • Stamp Act Congress

    Stamp Act Congress
    A gathering of representatives from some of the coloniest to devise a unified protest against the new British taxation
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    British Army soldiers killed five male civilians and ijured six others. The incident was heavily propagandized by leading patriots which was a major reason to pull oaway from British control
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    After refusing to pay taxes, a group of savilians desided to dump what would be worth 1 million dollars of tea in todays money, into the harbor, which took nearly 3 hours.
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    A meeting of twelve of the thirteen colonies that met in Philadelphia early in the American Revolution.
  • Give me liberty or give me death

    Give me liberty or give me death
    This quote is attributed to Partick Henry from his speech at the Verginia Convention. He is credited with having perswaded the resolution delivering virginian troops from the Revolutionary War
  • Second Continental Congress

    Second Continental Congress
    The second continental congress succeeded the first and managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration.
  • Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    Thomas Paine's Common Sense
    The first and popular book to challende the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    The forth of July celebrates the adopting of the delcaration by continental congress to declare independance from Britain
  • Articles of Confederations

    Articles of Confederations
    The document was redified in 1781 which made the states independent, with congres serving as a last resort and giving power to start an army
  • Constitutional Convention

    Constitutional Convention
    This addressed problems in governing the United States of America, which had been operating under the Articles of COnfederation
  • The Federalist Papers

    A collection of 85 articles and essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution
  • Delaware Ratifies Constitution

    Delaware Ratifies Constitution
    By unanimous vote on sept 17th. Delaware ratifies the constitution, sparking the movement of the start of a great nation
  • New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution

    New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution
    With New Hampshire ratifying the constitution, it officially gets put into effect.
  • Rhode Island Ratification of the Constitution

    Rhode Island Ratification of the Constitution
    Rhode Island becomes the 13th state to enter the Union after ratifying the Constitution! YAY!
  • Bill of Rights Finally Ratified

    Bill of Rights Finally Ratified
    The first congress approved the 12 amendments designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens