Origins of American Government

  • Jun 12, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    Great Charter forced upon King John of England by his barons in 1215; established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute and guaranteed trial by jury and due process of law to the nobility
  • Founding of Jamestownn

    Founding of Jamestownn
    The Virginia Company explorers landed on Jamestown Island to establish the Virginia English colony on the banks of the James River, 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
  • House of Burgesses

    House of Burgesses
    After his arrival in Jamestown in 1619, Governor George Yeardley immediately gave notice that the Virginia colony would establish a legislative assembly.
  • Finding of Plymouth

    Finding of Plymouth
    Members of the Sepratists church come over on the Mayflower to escape religious persecution and oppurtunity for a new life thus establishing Plymouth.
  • Mayflower Compact

    Mayflower Compact
    The Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 English colonists on the ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620, was the first written framework of government established in what is now the United States.
  • Albany Plan of Union

    Albany Plan of Union
    A proposal made by Ben Franklin to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies
  • French and Indian War

    French and Indian War
    War was fought between the Bristish America and New France. Both sides were supported by military units from the Parent countries of Great Britian and France also by Native American allies. Britins became victorius
  • The Sons of Liberty

    The Sons of Liberty
    In Boston a group of shopkeepers and artisans who called themselves The Loyal Nine, began preparing for agitation against the Stamp Act. The group gained members and later became known as the Sons of Liberty.
  • Stamp Act Congress

    Stamp Act Congress
    A meeting in New York where they discuased taxes imposed by Great Britin
  • Boston Massacre

    Boston Massacre
    Pre-Revolutionary incident growing out of the anger against the British troops sent to Boston to maintain order and to enforce the Townshend Acts.
  • Boston Tea Party

    Boston Tea Party
    A group of colonists protest thirteen years of increasing British oppression, by attacking merchant ships in Boston Harbor. In retaliation, the British close the port, and inflict even harsher penalties
  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia. The objectives of the body were unclear but core tasks were carried out.
  • Second Continental Congress

    Second Continental Congress
    A meeting of all thirteen colonies in Philadelphia. Created a colonial war effect and moved twords independance
  • Thomas Paine's Common Sense

    Thomas Paine's Common Sense
    Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to inspire the colonies to gained independance from Great Britain
  • Declaration of Independance

    Declaration of Independance
    A document that declared America's independance from Great Britin
  • Aricles of Confederation

    Aricles of Confederation
    First form of American Constitution.
  • Constitutional Convenrion

    Constitutional Convenrion
    Took place in Philadelphia to address problems in governing the United states of america
  • Virginia Plan

    Virginia Plan
    proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial drafted by James Madison
  • Federalist Papers

    Federalist Papers
    Series of essays (85) written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.
  • Delaware Ratifies Constitution

    Delaware Ratifies Constitution
    First state to ratify the Constitution,
  • New Jersey ratifies the constitution

    New Jersey ratifies the constitution
    third state to ratify the US Constitution
  • New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution

    New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution
    Ninth state to ratify the document
  • Rhode Island Ratifies the Constitution

    Rhode Island Ratifies the Constitution
    13th state to enter unuion after ratifying the constitution
  • Bill of Right Ratified

    Bill of Right Ratified
    Ratified by three-fourths state legislatures
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    articulated in President James Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress. The European powers, according to Monroe, were obligated to respect the Western Hemisphere as the United States' sphere of interest