Representative Government

1. Representative Government 8.2A, 8.2B, 8.3A, 8.3B, 8.3C Pages 2

2. What is Representative Government? A government that represents the people It represents the will of the people The people have a voice

3. Why create a Representative Government? Distance from Europe Colonists needed to make their own laws to keep peace and order Colonists were used to English system (Parliament) Most colonies were self-governing These colonies elected members for an assembly which made their laws. Communities were isolated

4. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Mayflower Compact Established the idea of self-government and majority rule Agreement to form a political body and give it power to make laws for the good of the colony. A social contract where everyone agreed to follow the rules.

5. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Fundamental Orders of Connecticut First written constitution in the colonies People had the right to elect governors, judges and a legislature. Written by the people

6. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Virginia House of Burgesses First representative assembly in the colonies They made laws and agreed to safeguard individual rights. Set a precedent in the colonies for individual rights protected by law. (British law did not provide for individual rights.) Representatives were elected by the people

7. How could religion and virtue help create a Representative Government? Religious freedom was a major cause for the development of the colonies. Religious groups (Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, etc.) created communities that were self-governed. Penn colony was an experiment in the possibility of equality and citizens involved in the government.