The Government and Rights of Englishmen in the Colonies

							                       Government and Rights in the English Colonies
By the early 1700s, each of the English colonies had developed its own system of government. With distinct
populations, customs and settlements, they were almost little countries unto themselves. But as colonies, their
governments and people were still under Britain’s control.

Colony:


     1. a group of people who leave their native country to form a settlement in a new land under the authority
        of the parent nation.

Each colony’s charter or plans for government usually included:

   1. A statement of loyalty to the KING (or Queen) of England as the ultimate ruler colony and the British
   Empire as a whole



   2. A GOVERNOR
   usually appointed by the king or colony’s proprietor
   managed the colony’s affairs and carried out laws



   3. A COLONIAL LEGISLATURE
   upper house = governor’s appointees
   lower house = representatives elected by colonial voters.
   created and passed laws and taxes for the entire colony



   4. LOCAL TOWN MEETING
   run by group selectmen
   frequent meetings to make decisions for individual community
   male community members (with property) could vote
   common grazing laws, land settlements and disputes



   5. VOTING RIGHTS
   white
   male
   Christian (in some colonies, only PROTESTANTS, not Catholic)
   over 21
   All voters had to own property



   6. SUPPORT OF ENGLISH TRADITION

             The Magna Carta (1215) an English document signed by king, promised to notify nobles and church leaders
              when raising taxes

             The English Bill of Rights (1689) guaranteed trial by jury, legal rep, no taxation w/o Parliament’s approval
                         Government and Rights in the English Colonies
By the early 1700s, each of the English colonies had developed its own system of government. With distinct populations, customs
and settlements, they were almost little countries unto themselves. But as colonies, their governments and people were still under
Britain’s control, much like a parent or guardian oversees a minor.
Colony:
     a group of people who leave their native country to form a settlement under the authority of the parent nation, in a new
     land.


Each colony’s plans for government usually included:

1.        A statement of loyalty to the ______________________as the ultimate ruler of the colony and the
          _________________________ as a whole.


2.        A GOVERNOR

             usually appointed by the _____________ or colony’s ______________

             managed the colony’s affairs and carried out __________________


3.        A COLONIAL LEGISLATURE

             ___________ house = governor’s appointees

             lower house = representatives elected by colonial ________________.

             created and passed ____________ and _____________ for the entire colony


4.        TOWN MEETINGS

                 run by group of __________________, elected by community

                 frequent meetings to make _____________for communities within a colony

                 male community members (with property) could vote

                 common grazing laws, land settlements and disputes


5.        VOTING RIGHTS

                 _________________

                 male

                 Christian (in some colonies, only PROTESTANTS, not Catholic)

                 over 21

                 All voters had to own _____________________


6.        SUPPORT OF ENGLISH TRADITION

             The __________________(1215) an English document signed by the king, promised to notify nobles and

              church leaders when raising taxes

             The ________________________(1689) guaranteed trial by jury, legal rep, no taxation w/o Parliament’s
              approval
    “Sketch to     Stretch”                   Now that we have reviewed the basic structure of early government in the colonies, what
                                              do you make of it?

                                              Create an acrostic, picture, diagram, or symbol representing the government relationship
                                              between the colonies and England, their “mother country.” You will need to explain this to
                                              a partner. So review our notes and think carefully about your selection!




Tonight, write a brief “caption” to explain your drawing of the colonies and the British government. Use the back of this page if you need more space:
U.S. History                          Name _____________________
Government and Rights in the Colonies

Homework:          write a paragraph “caption” to explain your drawing of the colonies and the British government.
Explain what is going on in your drawing, diagram or symbol and relate it back to the basic notes from today’s
class.




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