Lesson 1B: Colonial Governance
Exploring Geography
Look at these two maps. What are some differences you noticed? Do both regions have defined boundaries? How would the lack of political boundaries affect government?
https://timemaps.com/history/europe-1648ad Links to an external site.
https://timemaps.com/history/north-america-1648ad Links to an external site.
Think About It
Europe was very different from the Americas at the time of exploration and discovery. Think of what you just learned about how three Native American civilizations were governed. Now think of the way European societies were governed from 1500 to around 1780.
The European nations that explored and colonized the Americas were ruled by monarchs–kings and queens. The Europeans who came to settle in the New World were accustomed to governments in which decisions were made by a central authority. Thus, the settlers established governments that reflected their personal experiences. At the same time, the realities of colonial life, including interactions with Native Americans, had an impact on these structures. It was true that the ultimate ruler of the colonials was the King of England, but distance created a great deal of independence. They were living in a monarchy, yet the monarch was thousands of miles away.
Formation of Colonies
In the Beginning… Colonies didn’t just “happen.” They were planned and had a purpose. By the early 1600s, English promoters looked to two key elements for colonial enterprises: commercial advantages and the establishment of Protestantism in North America. The basic reason for the formation of the colony, as well as its organizational structure, influenced the type of government developed for the colony. Colonies were organized in one of three ways: joint stock companies; royal colonies; and proprietary colonies.
|
Type |
Description |
Advantages and Disadvantages |
|
Joint stock companies (also known as Charter Colonies) |
Formed by wealthy English merchants and landowners, who provided the capital (money) to support a colony in the expectation of earning a profit. This is why they were originally known as Joint-Stock companies. King granted the company a charter (a document permitting the company to create a colony), and the colonies later became known as Charter Colonies. Governance was determined by the investors, who appointed someone to lead the settlers. Later, as colonies became more firmly established, governors were chosen. |
The investors risked losing their investment, as there was no guarantee that useful resources would be found. They also could make a considerable profit from their investment. Settlers had the opportunity to prosper in the colonies, but also risked losing their lives. |
|
Royal Colony |
Controlled directly by the king, who appointed a governor Generally formed for economic reasons, and were expected to help increase the wealth of the Crown. All rights and institutions of government were those approved by the king. |
Colonies were generally well-financed. The government would provide protection. Colonial rights were subject to limitations. |
|
Proprietary Colony |
Granted by the king to an individual, often for a reason that had little to do with economics. Example: The king wanted to move a religious group called Quakers somewhere outside of England. William Penn, a leader of the Quakers, convinced the king to grant colonial land so the Quakers could move to North America. This colony became known as Pennsylvania. |
Governance in a proprietary colony was determined by the proprietor. The colony was subject to being taken over by the king at any time. |
Think About It - If you were setting up a colony during this time, which version would you set up? Why does that type appeal to you?
Early Institutions of Government
The first framework for governance for a colonial group was the Mayflower Compact, created in 1620. While still on their ship, the Pilgrims created a set of rules for the colony (Plymouth) that was to be constructed. These earlier settlers were followed by the Puritans, who founded the Massachusetts Bay colony under a theocracy, or a government based on their religious principles. In the colony of Connecticut, a written governance document known as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was created to provide a structure for colonial rule. They were able to establish their own forms of government because they were charter colonies.
wikipedia Links to an external site.
The Mayflower Compact, 1620
The first representative assembly in the colonies was known as the House of Burgesses, elected in 1619 and located in Jamestown, Virginia. While it was called a representative assembly, it primarily represented wealthy, white landowners. Poor whites, Native Americans, indentured servants, and enslaved Africans were not represented in government, could not hold assembly seats, and were often denied voting rights. Note that indentured servants were white English people who had their passage to the colonies paid for by wealthier settlers. In return, those individuals “served” their sponsors for a period of time, after which they were free to get land and become full citizens of the colony. Enslaved Africans were slaves, and thus were not freed.
Compare It
Consider what you learned in Section 1 - A about Native American governance. Now, compare it to the colonial system. What similarities do you see? What differences?
Video transcript
Try It
Evaluate It
After you have completed your review of the chart and examined the interactive, consider the following questions:
- What roles did Governors play in the governing of the colonies?
- What roles did legislative bodies play in the governing of the colonies?
- How did colonial governmental institutions compare to those of the three Native American civilizations you have studied?