The US Constitution Timeline.

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US Constitution timeline

1773 - “No taxation without representation” The 13 colonies were moaning that they were being taxed without having any say on laws in Parliament... This lead to the Boston tea party .

4th July 1776 (started the war of independence) - The declaration of independance. (Thomas Jefferson wrote it) Based on Locke's philosophy of that everyone has natural rights (Life, liberty and property) If a government tried to trample of your natural rights then you should be a the liberty to overthrow them. (synoptic link). Jefferson change it to the rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

“We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal”

1781 - Started writing the articles of confederation. Fearful that they would become like the British government and be dictated over by a few men living 1000’s of miles away.

It consisted of a loose collection of states with a weak central government. Also 9/13 states had to agree to pass laws. There was also no president.

1787 - Philadelphia Convention, US constitution drafted with a slave only counting as 3/5 of a person. During the connecticut compromise they agreed to a Bicameral system with a federal system. This was a constitution based on compromise ensuring a half way house

1791 - Bill of rights, created the first 10 rights (probably based on the bible’s 10 commandments)

The main rights:

1. Free Speech (media, religious tolerance)

2. The right to bear arms

4.Unreasonable search and seizure

5.Fair Trial

8.Cruel and unusual punishment X

10. states rights

1865 - 13th and 14th amendments, E.g. equal rights and the abolition of slavery.

1896 - Plessy v ferguson - Separate BUT EQUAL

1954 - Brown v Board on Education, “Separate but inherently unequal” i.e. over turning the Plessy case made 60 years earlier.

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