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.

Question

Example Sentence Stem: The Mayflower Compact was written for the purpose of The Virginia House of Burgesses was established for the purpose of _. Both of these forms of government demonstrate and are important because_.

Answer 1

The Mayflower Compact was written for the purpose of establishing a self-governing agreement among the Pilgrims who arrived in America, ensuring that they would create and abide by their own laws for the good of the colony. The Virginia House of Burgesses was established for the purpose of creating a representative assembly where colonists could elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf and address local issues. Both of these forms of government demonstrate the growing desire for self-governance and representation among the colonists, illustrating the shift from direct rule by distant monarchs to a system where citizens had a voice in their own governance, thus laying the groundwork for democratic principles that would later influence the formation of the United States.