Democratic Developments in Colonial America

1. Democratic Developments inColonial America Essential question: “To what extent had the American colonies developed a democratic society by the eve of the American revolution?”

2. A. 1619: Formation of the Virginia House of Burgesses • 1. First representative assembly in America • 2. Twenty-two original burgesses; governor had veto power

3. B. 1620: Mayflower Compact • 1. First agreement establishing self-government • 2. Freemen agreed to majority rule

4. C. After 1629, New England Townhall Meeting 1. Church members discussed political and community issues 2. Majority rule

5. D. Colonial Assemblies: • 1. Lower house gradually gained political influence • 2. Governors had difficulty ruling without the support of assemblies

6. E. 1639: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • 1. first written constitution in America

7. F. 1643: New England Confederation • 1. Connecticut, New Haven, Plymouth, and Massachusetts formed an organization for collective security against Indian attacks. • 2. Important step in creating more unity among New England colonies

8. G. 1649: Maryland Act of Toleration • 1. Guaranteed religious freedom to all Christians

9. H. 1676: Bacon’s Rebellion • 1. Western Virginia farmers revolted against eastern government • 2. First of several major rebellions where common people are fighting for a more responsive government

10. I. 1683: New York Charter of Liberties • 1. Granted freedom of religion to all Christians and gave all landowners the right to vote • 2. Created to attract more settlers to New York http://www.montauk.com/history/seeds/charter.htm

11. J. 1691: (Jacob) Leisler’s Rebellion • 1. Rebellion of frustrated poor people and farmers • 2. Protested huge land grants favoring wealthy landholders and speculators • 3. Common people left with few opportunities to own land

12. K. 1735: Zenger Case • 1. John Peter Zenger found innocent of libel by colonial jury • 2. Charges involved N.Y. governor • 3. Important first step toward freedom of the press

13. L. 1754: Albany Plan of Union • 1. proposed by Benjamin Franklin • 2. goal to create an inter-colonial congress • 3. rejected by Britain: too much control to colonies 4. rejected by colonies: feared an oppressive colonial congress

14. M. 1764: Paxton Boys • 1. Western Pennsylvanians (Scots Irish) • 2. Believed government not doing enough to protect them from Native American attacks

15. N. 1771: Carolina Regulator Movement • 1. Frustrated poor people from western North Carolina • 2. Rebelled against colonial government (similar to Bacon’s Rebellion and Leisler’s Rebellion)

16. O. 1713 – 1763: “Salutary Neglect” • 1. Colonies enjoyed relative autonomy from British rule • 2. Colonials became used to regulating their own political and economic affairs (such as triangular trade) without British interference • 3. Britain tries to re-impose control in 1763 → the road to revolution began

17. P. 1740s: Great Awakening • 1. Colonials enjoyed much choice regarding religious groups • 2. Churches increasingly cater to needs of parishioners • 3. Seen as an important democratic step

18. Q. 1720s to 1790s: The Enlightenment • 1. Colonial political thought influenced by: • a. Locke’s natural rights philosophy (including consent of the governed) and • b. Montesquieu’s views on checks and balances