Life in the English Colony How the government controlled the colonies

Warm Up Explain how a city government works and how do you think this compares to some of the original colonial governments?

Colonial Governors and Legislatures Each colony had a governor’s. – Royal Colonies governor selected by King or Queen – Proprietary colonies governor’s selected by proprietors who choose all officials – In a few colonies such as Connecticut people elected governor Some colonies saw people elect representatives to the assemble help create laws and policies. – Assembly laws had to be approved by the governor

Colonial Governors and Legislatures Town Meetings – In town meetings people talked about and decided on issues of local interest, such as paying for schools. – People in Southern Colonies typically lived further away and would come to county meetings.

Political Change in England 1685, James II becomes the king of England. – He wants more power in England and colonies King James II believes the colonies are too independent. – 1686 he united the northern colonies under one government called “Dominion of New England” – King James II names Sir Edmund Andros royal governor. – The colonist did not like Andros because he limited the power of the town meeting.

English Bill of Rights – Passed in 1689, this act reduced the powers of the English monarch. – At the same time the Parliament gained power. People enjoyed the right to elect representatives to decide local issues. Following the English Bill of Rights colonist in the Dominion quickly formed new assemblies and charters.

Colonial Courts Colonial Courts made up another important part of the colonial government – Colonist tried to use the courts to decide their local affairs. – Courts reflect the beliefs of the local communities Example in Massachusetts, courts typical ruled toward Puritan laws and based on the Bible – Protected Individual Freedoms John Peter Zenger arrested for printing a false statement about New York governor Jury of Colonist found him ‘not guilty’ because they believed he had right to voice his own ideas

Your Project??? How does this activity shape the way that you look to form your own government in your colony?