Events Leading to American Democracy

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta was the first time a king gave up power to the people

house of burgesses

Jul 30, 1619

first assembly met on July 30, 1619, in the church at Jamestown

Glorious Revolution

Sep 22, 1688

was the overthrow of King James II of England, VII of Scotland and II of Ireland by a union of English Parliamentarians

French and indian war

Sep 22, 1754

was fought between the colonies of British America and New France, with both sides supported by military

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

street fight that occurred between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

organize colonial resistance to Parliament's Coercive Acts

second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting

Declaration of Independence

Jul 4, 1776

states that a government exists for the benefit of the people and that "all men are created equal”

Treaty of paris

Sep 3, 1783

signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America

Shays rebellion

Aug 22, 1786

uprising led by a former militia officer

constitutional convention

May 25, 1787

a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution