3.3 Establishing Law and Order Pgs.

Colonial Governments Royal Colonies Charter Colonies King had power. Charter Colonies The colonists governed themselves. Proprietary Colony Proprietors or their heirs had power. These colonies had different types of government. Colonial Governments

The charter colonies (MA, CN, RI) elected their own governments and legislature. They had the least interference from Britain. Colonial Governments

In proprietary colonies (PA, NC), the governor was appointed the the proprietor. In royal colonies, the King chose the governor himself. This governor often sent a LT. Governor to rule for him as he stayed in England. Colonial Governments

In most colonies governors stayed in power for 5 years. In all but the the charter colonies, the governors were powerful. He could veto laws, regulate land grants, and command the militia. Colonial Governments

But the legislature had the “power of the purse” – they paid him. All free men who owned land were able to vote for representatives. Colonial Governments

Colonial Governments Most ideas for court systems came from England Governors appointed justices of the peace to try those accused of crimes. These justices could collect taxes, grant licenses, record deeds to property, and serve other public needs.

Colonial Governments The colonists paid their government by paying taxes. The main tax was a property tax. Anyone who owned land or other valuable property paid a certain amount to the colony.

Some colonies had a poll tax, that a citizen had to pay before they could vote.

Local Governments Most colonies were divided into counties. Although the British government sometimes exerted some control in the colonial governments, the colonists ran their own town.

Local Governments Property owners could attend town meetings called “townships” At these town meetings local issues were settled by a majority vote. Citizens selected watchmen to protect the towns

Local Governments If someone didn’t want to take their turn as a watchman, they paid someone to do it for them. Usually if someone was in need, the families in the town took turns taking them in.

Local Governments Elections were held to elect officials for the counties (parishes).

Discussion Questions List the three types of colonies and tell who had the authority to establish a government for each type? What official was in charge of holding court in the colonies? What is a poll tax?