-
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
A document that King John of England was forced to sign. The signing of the "Great Charter" relinquished much of his power and protected noble authority. Most importantly, it created Parliament, starting the road to a British Democracy. -
Period: Jan 1, 1215 to
Road to American Democracy
-
Jamestown Colony (est.)
Settlers from the Virginia Company first come ashore in Virginia, and select a site for settlement. Later, a Church, Storeroom, and Houses are built, all enclosed in a fort. -
House of Burgess
First assymbely of elected representatives in the new world. Held in Jamestown, Virginia. -
Plymouth Colony
Puritans from England, later known as Pilgrims, settle in the new world, establishing the colony of Plymouth. The colony lasts until 1691, when it is merged with the Province of Massachusetts Bay. -
Mayflower Compact
Signed by 41 of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower before going on land and creating Plymouth. Set a direct democracy for the colony to be. -
Height of Mercantalism
Government control of foreign trade is essential to the economy. It is nescesary for prosperity and military soundness of the state. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Possibly the first modern constitution, and the first in the new world. Written by puritans to establish Connecticut as a self-governing colony. -
Period: to
Road to American Democracy
-
Glorious Revolution
Overthrowing of traditional English monarchs. Ended with the crowning of William of Orange and Mary, when they signed the English Bill of Rights and forfeited most of their power. -
English Bill of Rights
Limited the power of English Monarchs. Parliament forced William of Orange and Mary to sign in order for them to become king and queen. -
Salem Witch Trials
26 citizens of Salem are convicted of witchcraft, a capitol felony. of them, 19 are killed by hanging, the others being killed in various ways, such as crushed under stones trying to get a confession. -
First Great Awakening
A Christian Revitilization in Europe and especially American Colonies. It was a revolution of preaching style that made Christianity much more personal. It rid the protestant church of many of its numerous and sometimes tedious rituals. -
French and Indian War
War fought beetween the French and British on American soil. The French allied with Indians, however lost to the British, with the help of the colonies. -
Albany Plan of Union
A plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, to New York's Albany Congress. It was a plan to unite all 13 colonies under one government for the purposes of protection. It was completely rejected after having been passed by the Albany Congress. -
Culpepers Rebellion
John Culpeper led rebels against a proprietary government in North Carolinas Albemarle Section. He was then elected governor, and ruled for two years. Eventually, he was removed from office, tried with treason, but never punished. -
Pontiac Rebellion
A war launched by an alliance of Indian tribes. It began as a result of the dissatisfaction of Indian tribes after the French and Indian War. -
Proclamation Line of 1763
A border to how far the colonists can go west and still be under the protection of the British Empire. Set by King George III to keep from having to fight another war with the Indians, driving Britan deeper in debt. -
Sugar/Revenue Act of 1764
A tax passed by the Parliament of England on April 5, 1764. It was an indirect tax placed on sugar, causing the shopkeeper to pay the tax. This ultimately led to an increased price of sugar ,and goods containing sugar, for the consumer. -
Stamp Act
Required that American colonists pay tax on every piece of printed paper -
Virginia Resolves
A series of resolutions passed by the Virginia General Assymbely. These resolves were passed in response to the sugar act of 1764. -
Sons of Liberty
A group of patriots in Boston led by John Hancock and Samuel Adams. They rebelled against the English, mainly by causing mischief in the city of Boston. Most known for the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Massacre
British Soldiers fired into a crowd of Colonists formed into a mob in protest, killing five -
Gaspee Incident
The HMS Gaspee ran aground after being baited into seizing goods illegaly (June 9.) The following afternoon (June 10) it was looted, burned, and her crew captured. Parliament was outraged, but no arrests were made. -
Committees of Correspondance
"Shadow Governments" set up by Patriot Leaders prior to the war. They coordinated responsed to Britain, and eventually superceded royal and state governments. Helped to set up many essential meetings, such as the First Continental Congress. -
Tea Act
Created a monopoly on tea. Colonists could only buy tea from the East India Company. This lead to high prices on tea and started the revolution in Boston. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists, outraged by tea taxes and prices, boarded british ships and threw their stores of tea into the Boston Harbor. Was a big step toward the revolution. Colonists dressed up like Indians and hacked the crates open. -
Intolerable Acts
Punishments placed on the colonies by the English King. Acts included closing of Boston's port, requirement to quarter soldiers, closing of the Quebec border, and other acts. This united the colonies. -
First Continental Congress
Meeting of Representatives from 12 of the 13 British colonies. The meeting was called in response to the intolerable acts. -
Edenton Tea Party
Mrs.Penelope Barker gathered 51 women. They agreed to boycott British tea and cloth, supporting "No taxation without representation." The first political movement only by women. -
Second Continental Congress
Second meeting of delegates from British colonies. It was agreed that a Continental Army was needed, in response to recent events. (Massacre, incrasing number of Redcoats, skirmishes with Minutemen, possible arrest of Patriots) -
Mecklenburg Resolves
The first Declaration of Independence made by any of the colonies. It was made in Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Proclaimed that all saws from the King and Parliament as "Null and Void" -
Halifax Resolves
A resolution made by the Fourth Provincial Congress of North Carolina. Helped prepare the way for the Declaration of Independencde. Empowered the three delegates from NC to the Second Continental Congress to be able to vote for the Declaration of Independence. -
Townsend Acts
Taxes added to glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. they were eventually revoked. -
The Declaration of Independence
Many American Patriots meet and wish to declare their independence. Thomas Jefferson then Writes the Declaration, and it is signed by the Patriots. This declares our independence from British Rule -
Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
Agreement of the 13 states that they were now a confederation of sovereign states. Ratified on the date given, but written in 1776. Served as the first constitution. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Treaty between the British and the victorious America and her allies in the Revolutionary War. Ended the war with the British coming to an agreement with the newly independant colonies and allies of America. British signers refused to pose, so the painting was never completed. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
A law written by Thomas Jefferson as a part of the Articles of Confederation, after the Revolutionary War. It stated that Congress could not raise revenue by direct taxation on the land of U.S. Citizens -
Shays Rebellion
Many Massachutsetts Farmers who were in debt to the government rebelled. They were led by Revolutionary War Veterain Daniel Shays. 5 died in the incident. -
Federalist/Anti-Federalist Papers
Papers written for and against the new constitution. Written by Federalists who supported it, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed the constitution in favor of stronger individual state governments. -
Constitutional Convention
American leaders meet in Philidelphia to adress problems in governing the newly crated United States. Thy construct the Constitution of the United States of America, setting a strong central government. -
Land Ordinance of 1787
Allowed Settlement of the Northwest Territory -
Whisky Rebellion
A tax was placed on farmers selling their wheat as whisky. Farmers refused to pay the taxes, often resorting to violence against officials. Ended in 1994 when 500 men attacked the home of a tax inspector, and a militia sent by Washington was dispached, to find all the farmers had gone home.
