In order to settle in North America, settlers needed a charter. What was a charter?

Answer 1

A charter is a formal document issued by a governing authority that grants rights, powers, and privileges to individuals or groups, often for the establishment of a colony or settlement. In the context of North American colonization, charters were significant because they provided settlers with the legal permission and authority to establish and govern new territories.

These charters typically outlined the geographic boundaries of the territory, the governance structure, and the rights of the settlers. They could specify the powers of the colony's government, economic rights, and sometimes included stipulations about the relationship with Indigenous peoples and trade. Charters were central in establishing English, Spanish, or French colonies in North America, as they legitimized the claims of settlers and often served as the foundation of colonial law and governance.