The Origins of American Government Timeline

The Origins of American Government Timeline

Dylan Obrigewitch

First meeting of the Congress of the United States

March 4, 1789

The first meeting was the beginning of the implementation of the new laws and regulations made earlier in the new constitution. All delegates were able to work out their political differences and built a foundation for the United States.

Signing of the Constitution

September 17, 1787

After the recent additions of the Bill of Rights, it was time to sign the constitution. John Hancock was the first to sign the document, and his signature is now infamous over the United States. Some consider that the signing is the most important part in declaring the US's independence from the British.

Common Sense

Bill of Rights

Stamp Act Congress

December 15, 1791

February 14, 1776

October 7, 1765

After the creation of the United States constitution, all the states needed to agree on it, however there was some debate. Some states believed that the constitution should include the human rights at the beginning of the document, thus the Bill of Rights. This addition included the first 10 rights.

The stamp act congress was a petition created by the colonists against King George III regarding the newly placed taxes on tea, glass, paper, and sugar.

The Constitutional Convention

Common Sense, a book written by Thomas Paine, was made to restore the hope and the drive for freedom in the american citizens. Paine says that the colonies have little to gain from remaining attached to Britain, hence why the book was largely recognized as a form of propaganda. The colonists were encouraged to stand against unfair British taxes.

May 25 - September 17, 1787

Gathering in the independence hall, the Constitutional Convention was a meeting to give congress more power over the states. In the convention, the delegates argued over the ruling over the states. Some delegates wanted a republic, while others wanted a federal system.

Shay's Rebellion

1786 – 1787

This even was a series of protests by american farmers against the new British taxes. This rebellion was the most abundant in Massachusetts, where the taxes were mostly affecting the farmers, causing them to lose their land. Although the rebellion was crushed by the British forces, this act was propaganda for the colonists to fight back.

Boston Tea Party

December 16, 1773

The Articles of Confederation

First Continental Congress

Adopted on November 15, 1777

Ratification started March 1, 1781

September 5, to October 26, 1774

Battle of Lexington and Concord- Beginning of the Revolutionary War

The Articles of Confederation continued the structure of the government from the 2nd continental congress. In a struggle to create the United States of America and declare the state's independence from the British. The states created a "league of friendship", created to ensure that each state will fight for the defense of each other. Also, the articles denied any leadership over the country with one leader.

April 19, 1775

A meeting of the colonists to retaliate against the British. This established an embargo on the British, which would prohibit trade.

Action taken by the colonists against the British. Colonists were disguised as natives and boarded British tea ships. They dumped tons of tea into the harbor, making the British mad. These actions were done to raise moral of the colonist rebels, showing that the British weren't unstoppable.

Marking the beginning of the Revolutionary war, the Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first war between the United State's colonists and the British soldiers. The battles took places throughout the states, including the towns of Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Arlington, and Cambridge, near Boston.

Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776

Second Continental Congress

September 5, 1774 - October 26, 1774

Document that states the human rights and the foundation of the United States government. It was signed by all 56 delegates, and lists all the complaints against King George III along with states their freedom from Great Britain.

With the involvement of all thirteen colonies, this became the central government during the war with John Hancock as the president. This allowed congress to organize war, appointing George Washington as the military commander.

Intolerable Acts

March 24, 1774

Magna Carta

Also known as the coercive acts, this was a list of rules made by the British for the colonists to follow. Laws such as closed all Boston ports, banned all town meetings, disabling any form of self-government, and forced citizens to give housing to British soldiers. This was the turning point of the colonists, which caused them to go fully against the British rule.

June 15, 1215

Stamp Act

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

March 22, 1765

January 15, 1639

Albany Plan of Union

July 10, 1754

Glorious Revolution

A tax was placed by king George III on essential everyday materials, such as tea, glass, paper, and sugar. The colonists retaliated by forming the stamp act congress, a petition formed against the newly placed taxes. The petition was ignored, causing the colonists to rebel in the Boston tea party

Mayflower Compact

The Albany Plan of Union attempted to unify the government for the Thirteen Colonies, and was suggested by Benjamin Franklin, and a delegate from Pennsylvania, at the Albany Congress. Although the idea had the support of many colonial leaders the plan had never been placed into action.

Allowed the general public the ability to elect a governor, judges, and representatives. They were also able to create laws for their people. The fundamental orders of Connecticut also began the assemblies of representatives to serve as legislatures.

November 20, 1620

1688 - 1689

French and Indian War

1754 – 1763

This document was the foundation of power for the government. Before the Magna Carta, the king had rule over the government. After the changes were made the order of power started with the government, then the king, and then the people.

Written on the ship the Mayflower, the Mayflower compact was the first written government made by the pilgrims. This established basic rules for governing over the colonies of the American soil.

The French and Indian war, also known as the seven year war, took place in the United states. Although this war was not between the colonists and the British, it still caused some tension between the two. The British forced the colonists to pay for their war, which in the end caused the colonists to be displeased.

Petition of Rights

Resulting in king James II, king VII of Scotland, and king II of Ireland being overthrown, the glorious revolution granted parliament supreme authority over the people. Along with the government's new power, the king and queen were now seen as figures rather than ruling authorities. Transitioning from absolute to constitutional monarchy.

June 7, 1628

English Bill of Rights

December 16, 1689

The Petition of Rights is an English document and was written by parliament. This document was created for the purpose to object the authority of King Charles I. While he reigned, the English people saw his authority as a major violation of their civil rights.

The 1689 English Bill of Rights was a British Law that ensure the rights of the people. This was also an influence for the Bill of Rights that were later added into the United States Constitution.