1. Colonial Government

2. Why Colonies?
Shift in Europe from Manorialism (feudalism) to Mercantilism (Commercial Revolution)
Mercantilism – A nation’s power or wealth depends on its production, trade, and industrial power which government fosters and protects
Britain wants to colonize as a way to increase its power and wealth
Britain would establish colonies by issuing a “charter” which gave the colonies some power over themselves, but still belong to the English King

5. Royal Colonies
Subject to direct control of the English Monarch and Parliament
Included: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
King would appoint a “Royal Governor” to govern the colony
Appointed judges to local courts within the colony
King also appointed an “upper council” that advised the Royal Governor
Council acted as the Supreme Court of the Colony
Bicameral colonial legislature – a lower council developed that was elected by eligible colonists (property owning men)
ALL Laws passed by the colonial legislatures had to be approved by the Royal Governor, and then the King (a 6 month process)

7. Proprietary Colonies
Less direct ties to the English Monarch/Parliament
King granted a proprietor land to create a colony (usually as a gift)
Famous Proprietors – Lord Baltimore (Maryland) William Penn (Pennsylvania and Delaware)
Proprietor directly oversaw colony, and appointed a governor
Also had colonial legislatures, democratically elected
King could override decisions made by proprietary colonies

9. Charter Colonies Extremely loose ties to the King
Elected their own Colonial Governor (property owning males could vote)
The King had to approve the Royal governor taking office, but this was often ignored
King had the power to strike down laws only if they were challenged in court
Many charter colonies maintained their government systems in their state constitutions with few changes well past the Revolutionary War
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts (before its charter changed)