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U.S Government Timeline - BH

  • 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    The Magna Carta was signed in June of this year as a way to trick the King into moving from Rule of Man to Rule of Law. This took away certain powers from the King.
  • Divine Right

    The theory where the monarch answered only to God.
  • Iroquois Confederation

    The British colonies formed an alliance with Native American nations.
  • Mayflower Compact

    Gave colonists the "rights of the Englishmen".
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right
    King Charles I signed the Petition of Right which gave people individual rights. Monarchs had to gain approval before implementing new taxes and the government could no longer unlawfully imprison people.
  • New England Confederation

    Plymouth, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, and New Haven colonies formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonists.
  • Writ of Habeas Corpus

    Prevents government from holding people in secret or without charges
  • William and Mary

    William and Mary were chosen to rule but had to govern according to the statutes of Parliament.
  • English Bill of Rights

    The English Bill of Rights was a big influence for the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. It gave people the freedom of speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
  • Albany Plan of Union

    Representatives were appointed by colonial assemblies and president general was appointed by King.
  • Social Contract Theory

    Government formed because people agreed to submit to the authority of the state.
  • Sugar Act

    Aimed to end smuggling trade of sugar.
  • Stamp Act

    Tax on documents
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    Many colonists began to protest against the taxes implemented on many goods. Due to this, American soldiers fired into the crowd and 5 of the colonists were killed.
  • Intolerable Acts

    Intolerable Acts
    These acts were sort of implemented as a response to the Boston Tea Party and other protests against taxes. These acts were made to force colonists to quarter, or house, British soldiers if they were to come to their home.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Was most likely drawn for the Virginia Declaration of Right which was inspired by John Locke. The declaration blamed the King for the things the colonists went through.
  • Articles of Confederation

    Gave powers to the National Government and gave powers to the State. The Articles was a first frame of the government which stood as an agreement among the thirteen original states of America. Articles were weak because they did not stand for a strong government.
  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay's Rebellion
    Due to taxes being placed on imports, farmers were in debt. These farmers rebelled by attacking courthouses to keep judges from foreclosing on farms and by storming the military arsenal. Due to having no money, congress could not intervene.
  • The Constitutional Convention

    The Constitutional Convention met in order to discuss drafting a new Constitution. They discussed rival plans, compromises over slavery, the presidential election, etc...
  • Gazette Published

    Federalist paper, the Gazette, of the United States was published.
  • Judiciary Act

    This act established a three-tiered Judicial Structure:
    1. District Courts
    2. Circuit Courts
    3. Supreme Court
  • National Gazette

    The Whigs went against the Federalists with the making of the National Gazette.
  • Bill of Rights

    List of rights that Americans were given. Also included rights that the government was given. Largely inspired by the Enlightenment and the English Bill of Rights.
  • 2nd Amendment

    2nd Amendment
    This amendment gave the people the right to bear arms.
  • 4th Amendment

    4th Amendment
    This amendment protects people against warrantless search in the absence of probable cause.
  • 5th Amendment

    5th Amendment
    This amendment states that no one will be forced to witness against himself in testimony.
  • 3rd Amendment

    3rd Amendment
    This amendment granted security in the home. No one would be forced to quarter a soldier in their home.
  • Natural Law and Natural Rights

    System of rule for the natural world (human rights).
  • 12th Amendment

    The 12th Amendment allows for the president to choose his Vice President.
  • McCulloch V. Maryland

    Maryland taxed the national bank, but the court ruled the bank necessary and proper. Therefore, Maryland couldn't tax the bank because it would weaken the government.
  • Gibbons V. Ogden

    Gibbons V. Ogden
    A supreme court case in which the court stated that only Congress had the right to regulate commerce between states.
  • Democratic Party

    The Democratic Party was founded in 1828
  • Republican Party

    The Republican Party was founded in 1854
  • Morrill Act

    Granted large tracts of land to the states. The states would sell this land and use the money for colleges.
  • 14th Amendment

    14th Amendment
    This amendment granted equal protection to ALL US citizens. Was intended to protect the rights of former slaves.
  • 15th Amendment

    15th Amendment
    This amendment stated that the right to vote should not be based on color, race, or previous condition of servitude.
  • 16th Amendment

    16th Amendment
    Gave congress the authority to set a federal income tax. Main source of US income.
  • 17th Amendment

    17th Amendment
    The 17th Amendment allowed for the direct election of Senators,
  • Radio

    The radio became the first use of electronic media
  • NA Citizenship

    Native Americans were granted citizenship in 1924
  • United States V. Miller

    Ruled that the 2nd Amendment does not protect the right to bear all typed of weapons
  • Minersville School District V. Gobitis

    Supreme court ruled that a child could be expelled for refusing to salute to the flag.
  • West Virginia State Board of Education V. Barnette

    The court reversed itself and decided that unity could not overrule religious beliefs.
  • Department of Defense

    Department of Defense
    This department includes the US military forces and receives more money than other departments.
  • National Security Council

    National Security Council
    The National Security Council was created during the Cold War. This council coordinate the national security policy and brings together the top military, foreign affairs, and intelligence officials in the administration.
  • Television

    TV replaced the radio as the most influential use of electronic media
  • 22nd Amendment

    22nd Amendment
    The 22nd amendment was ratified in 1951. This amendment limited the amount of times that the president could be in office.
  • Department of Health and Human Services

    Department of Health and Human Services
    Protects the health of the people.
  • Brown V. Board of Education

    The court found that racially segregated schools violated the constitution. Segregated schools went against the 14th amendment guaranteeing "all citizens equal protection of laws".
  • Edwards V. South Carolina

    187 African-American students gathered at the state capitol to protest racial injustice. Students did not end the protest when police told them to and were arrested.
    Court said the state had no authority to disperse the students, as they were protesting legally.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Civil Rights Act of 1964
    This act outlaw's discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
  • 25th Amendment

    25th Amendment
    The 25th amendment set up the formal processes of presidential succession.
  • Freedom of Information Act

    Allows citizens access to written records kept by federal agencies.
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act

    Age Discrimination in Employment Act
    This act protects applicants and employees of 40+ years old from discrimination based on age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, privileges, etc. of employment.
  • War Powers Resolution

    This made the president consult with congress before sending troops. This also allowed for Congress to force the president to end the use of military with concurrent resolution.
  • Iron Triangle

    Forms an unofficial alliance between:
    1. Bureaucratic Agencies
    2. Congressional Oversight committees
    3. Outside interest groups
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act
    This act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
  • Department of Homeland Security

    Department of Homeland Security
    Formed after 9/11 to protect America from terrorist attacks.
  • DC V. Heller

    Ruled that the 2nd Amendment also gave people the right to self defense
  • McDonald V. Chicago

    Ruled 2nd Amendment applies to federal, state, and local governments, upheld 2nd Amendment