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Government Develops in the Colonies

This overview explores the development of government in the American colonies under British rule, detailing royal control through charters and the establishment of governance structures. It discusses the roles of governors, councils, and representative assemblies, highlighting significant examples such as the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact. The impact of British taxation policies, including the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, on colonial resistance and the movement toward independence is examined, culminating in the formation of the First Continental Congress.

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Government Develops in the Colonies

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  1. Government Develops in the Colonies Pg 38-44

  2. Royal control over the colonies • Charter-issued by the king to people who wanted to establish a colony • Earliest colonies were established by trading companies. • Most Southern and Middle colonies were granted to relatives or friends of the king • People starting colonies were limited only by the terms of the charter and their obligations to the king • King could take back a charter. Most colonies became royal colonies as the king took back the charters

  3. Governor and council • All colonies had a governor, a council of advisers, and a court system. • Colonies differed in the way these officials were chosen. • Most governors were appointed by the king or had the king’s approval • Governor chose his own council • They represented British authority

  4. Representative assemblies • Colonists claimed the right to choose elected assemblies or legislatures • First colonial assembly was in Virginia Colony-House of Burgesses • When king revoked the Virginia Colony charter he allowed the assembly to stay

  5. Representation (cont.) • Mayflower compact was an example of self-government • Set forth a government that would make just and equal laws for the good of the colony • Chose a governor from among the colonists • An assembly was set up in nearly every colony with elected members

  6. Rhode Island • Est. by settlers who left Massachusetts Bay Colony - religious reasons • No proprietor-elected its own governor and assemblies • King allowed this in the charter he issued • King could not overturn the actions of the assembly-unusual provision

  7. Connecticut • Organized under the first written constitution in America-Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. • also left Mass. Bay • Governor and court officials were elected • Charter from king let them keep the rights listed in their constitution

  8. Freedom in the colonies • Americans had great freedom in governing themselves at first • 3 reasons colonies had power • colonial legislators had the backing of public opinion • following the tradition set by Parliament, the assemblies claimed the right to set the governor’s salary and impose local taxes • colonial assemblies generally had their way because the British government’s colonial policies allowed them to do so

  9. Salutary neglect • British had 3 reasons for colonies • to provide a market for British goods • to provide raw material to Britain • to be loyal to the crown • British basically left the colonist alone partly because of the distance • Colonists were loyal in most matters • Crown provided them with protection

  10. Change between Britain and colonies • Relation changed suddenly in 1760’s • French and Indian War led to the change • Ran up large debt and British subjects felt colonists should help pay for it • King decided to have colonies carry a large part of the cost by passing trade acts

  11. Stamp Act • Tax on all printed material, including newspapers, merchants’ bills legal documents, and even playing cards • Colonists said only their elected representatives could enact taxes • Taxation without representation- was the cry • colonists petitioned the king and started a ban on British goods • King repealed the Stamp Act

  12. New Taxes and protests • Townshend Acts- taxed such items as paper, window glass, paint and tea • King sent troops to try to enforce the act • Boston Massacre was result • Parliament repealed all the taxes except the tea tax • Colonists lifted the ban on British goods

  13. Colonial Resistance • Committees of correspondence was organized to oppose British policies • Tea Act passed giving East Indian Company an advantage over colonial merchants • Boston Tea Party was the result - colonist dumped tea over board in Boston Harbor • Shocked everyone in most colonists

  14. Intolerable Acts • Passed as punishment for the Boston Tea Party-increased colonial resentment and unified the colonists • closed the port of Boston • limited self-gov’t in Mass. Colony • Quartering Act- ordered colonists to house soldiers in their homes • Convention was called to discuss what to do

  15. First Continental Congress • Representatives from every colony met in Philadelphia to decide what to do • Did 3 things • Declaration of Rights - stated rights and liberties colonists expected • Continental Association-organized ban on British imports • Were to meet again in May if Parliament had not answered the complaint satisfactorily.

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