Roots of Government in North Carolina First in Freedom Chapter 12 Section 1

Colonial North Carolina 1663 – King Charles II of England awarded a large piece of territory to eight allies who had helped him regain the throne of England 1729 – Carolina was officially divided into North and South

Colonial North Carolina Rights of Englishmen – Representative Government – Only the assembly could pass laws for the colony – Only the assembly could impose and collect taxes

Colonial North Carolina A Bicameral Legislature – For many years NC operated under a unicameral legislature – 1697 the colony adopted a bicameral legislature Royal Governor, Chief Executive and the governor’s council made the upper house House of Burgesses – lower house was representatives the people chose

Toward Independence English Parliament passed taxes on the colonies to help pay a war debt Leading the Way – NC – The governor refused to call a meeting of the elected representatives so the colonial leaders held their own meeting 71 delegates met in Wilmington and created the First Provincial Congress

Toward Independence The Mecklenburg Declaration – Committee of Mecklenburg County citizens met in Charlotte and decided to get rid of all officials appointed by the Royal Government The Halifax Resolves – Fourth Provincial Congress called for complete Independence

Toward Independence The Constitutional Convention – Reaction in North Carolina Many voters feared a strong national government Objected that the proposed constitution did not include guarantees of rights like those assured in their own NC Declaration of Rights – Call for a Bill of Rights 1788 Voters sent delegates to attend a convention in Hillsborough – they rejected the US Constitution... US Congress agreed to add a Bill of Rights to the US Constitution and NC ratified the Constitution