1. Colonial Government
Government in the colonies varies by the type of charter for that colony.
Question: What are the three types of colonial charters?
Charter Colonies
Proprietary Colonies
Royal Colonies

2. Colonial Government
As the colonies grew, so did the colonists views on government.
Time and distance from the mother-country necessitated some form of government to be in place.
The Crown also had the responsibility to enforce its laws on the colonies.

3. American Colonies Type Colony Government Note Charter Proprietary
Royal
Colony
Connecticut, Rhode Island
Government
Governor and Legislature Elected by Colonists
Note
Great Britain had the right to approve governor, but governor could not veto legislature.
Connecticut, Rhode Island
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania
Proprietor selected the governor and upper house. Colonists Elected the Lower House
Proprietor free to rule.
GA, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, SC, VA
Directly Ruled by Britain.
King appointed Gov. and Upper House. Colonists elected the Lower House.

4. The Constitution Written in 1787
Sets out the basic principles upon which government in the United States was built.
Fairly brief document.
Organized into eight sections
Preamble
Seven articles
27 Amendments