Explain the purpose of representative government during the colonial period. Choose two of the following, the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Virginia House of Burgesses, to demonstrate how representative government grew during the colonial era.

Answer 1

The purpose of representative government during the colonial period was to establish a system where the voices and interests of the colonists could be represented in governance, allowing them to participate in decision-making processes that affected their lives. This was a fundamental shift from the more autocratic rule they often experienced under European monarchies. The emergence of representative government reflected the desire for self-governance, order, and the management of local affairs according to the needs and preferences of the colonists.

The Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, is one of the earliest examples of a framework for representative government in colonial America. Although it was not a formal constitution, the Compact aimed to establish a civil government that would be created by the consent of the governed. The signers agreed to form a "civil body politic" for their mutual benefit and to create laws "for our better ordering and preservation." This voluntary agreement established a precedent for future governance in the colonies, emphasizing the idea of mutual consent and the collective authority of the settlers. The Mayflower Compact represents a significant step towards self-governance, as it was one of the first instances where colonists collectively chose to create their own system of government rather than being subjected exclusively to the will of a monarch or external authority.

The Virginia House of Burgesses

The Virginia House of Burgesses, established in 1619, marked a key development in the growth of representative government in the colonies. As the first elected legislative assembly in America, it allowed settlers in Virginia to elect representatives who would speak on their behalf and make decisions regarding local governance. This body gave the colonists a significant role in the legislative process, which had previously been dominated by appointed officials and the British crown. The House of Burgesses worked to address local issues, taxation, and laws, thereby laying the groundwork for a more structured and representative form of government. This institution symbolized the growing sentiment among colonists that they should have a say in their own governance and set a precedent for future legislative assemblies in other colonies.

Conclusion

Both the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses illustrate how the concept of representative government evolved during the colonial era. Each highlighted the importance of consent and participation in governance, reflecting the aspirations of colonists for self-rule and democratic principles. These early forms of representative government laid the foundation for the political structures that would later develop in the United States.