TEK 8.3A Reasons for the Growth of Representative Government during the Colonial Era (1607-1776)

What is Representative Government and Why are We HAPPY it Grew? Representative government is a system where the citizens of a country VOTE for the elected leaders who then make the laws. If our elected leaders don’t make laws we like, we don’t elect them again. Our vote is our voice in government!

Why Representative Government? Representative government is the best form of government because people have a voice in the laws made. With 316,769,000 people, we can’t all be directly involved in making laws.. So we have the next best thing.. We elect our representatives who answer to us! The US Congress! Where federal laws are made Our Goal TODAY (8.3A) Explain the reasons for the growth of representative government and institutions during the colonial period

Reason #1: Virginia House of Burgesses Hey! Is that Patrick Henry, outspoken Patriot? YES! What is it? First elected representative body in the colonies. Formed in 1619. The elected members were known as “Burgesses” (representatives). They made laws for Virginia. How did it lead to the growth of representative government? The Virginia House of Burgesses was an example of Representative Government ! Other colonies heard about it and wanted to create their own legislative body. Several important founding fathers were members of the Virginia House of Burgesses including Washington and Jefferson and it influenced them.

Reason #2: Mayflower Compact What is it? Social contract signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims establishing a “self-governing” colony where decisions are made by a “majority rules” system. Male Pilgrims signing compact before getting off Mayflower. This document was successful in establishing a system of self government for the Pilgrims. Self government is a necessary step in the process towards representative government. How did it lead to the growth of representative government?

Reason #3: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut What is it? It is Ordered, sentenced, and decreed, that the election shall be in this manner: every person present shall bring in one single paper with the name of him written in it whom he desires to have Governor, This was the first written Constitution in North America. The primary author is considered to be Thomas Hooker. How did it lead to the growth of representative government? The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut set up a government for the colony of Connecticut that used representative government (people elect their leaders).

Reason #4 Salutary Neglect What is it? This was the “hands off” policy Great Britain took towards establishing government for her colonies. How did it lead to the growth of representative government? Because Britain left the colonies alone, colonists created local elected legislative assemblies (representative government) to govern themselves

Reason #5: The Great Awakening What is it? This social movement was a period of religious feelings and devotion and more people turned to religion to address issues. This movement emphasized the equality of everyone and led people to question systems of government other than representative government that did not allow people to have a voice How did it lead to the growth of representative government?

Reason #6: The Enlightenment What is it? This social movement emphasized reason and knowledge. How did it lead to the growth of representative government? The enlightenment stressed that humans were enlightened beings capable of using reason and able to participate in government. Secondly, representative government makes more sense (using reason here!)

Reason #7: Distance from Britain What is it? Great Britain was over 3,000 miles away. 3,000 miles! How did it lead to the growth of representative government? Because of the vast distance between the colonies Britain, Britain was unable to make timely decisions and handle day to day affairs. As a result, the colonists created local representative assemblies to govern themselves.

Definition/Explanation Cause of Growth of Representative Government Definition/Explanation How did this lead to the growth of representative government? Virginia House of Burgesses First elected representative body in the colonies. Formed in 1619. The elected members were known as “Burgesses” (representatives) The Virginia House of Burgesses was an example of Representative Government Several important founding fathers were members of the Virginia House of Burgesses including Washington and Jefferson and it influenced them. Mayflower Compact Document signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims establishing a “self-governing” colony where decisions are made by a “majority rules” system. This document was successful in establishing a system of self government for the Pilgrims. Self government is a necessary step in the process towards representative government. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut This was the first written Constitution in North America. The primary author is considered to be Thomas Hooker. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut set up a government for the colony of Connecticut that used representative government (people elected their leaders) Salutary Neglect This was the “hands off” policy Great Britain took towards her colonies. Because Britain left the colonies alone colonists created local elected legislative assemblies (representative government) The Great Awakening This social movement was a period of religious feelings and devotion and more people turned to religion to address issues. This movement emphasized the equality of everyone and led people to question systems of government other than representative government that did not allow people to have a voice The Enlightenment This social movement emphasized reason and knowledge. The enlightenment stressed that humans were enlightened beings capable of using reason and able to participate in government. Secondly, representative government makes more sense (using reason) Distance from Great Britain Great Britain was over 3,000 miles away. Because of the vast distance between the colonies Britain, Britain was unable to make timely decisions and handle day to day affairs. As a result, the colonists created local representative assemblies to govern themselves.

Cause of Growth of Representative Government Definition/Explanation How did this lead to the growth of representative government? #1 Virginia House of Burgesses #2 Mayflower Compact # 3 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut #4 Salutary Neglect #5 The Great Awakening #6 The Enlightenment #7 Distance from Great Britain