HOW DID A DEMOCRATIC TRADITION DEVELOP IN THE EARLY
AMERICAN COLONIES?
Directions: Read the following and answer the questions that appear below;
Document 1: (from The Mayflower Compact, 1620) We whose names appear below have come to the new world for
the glory of God and advancement of our Faith, and the honour of our King and Country, to establish the first
colony in the northern part of Virginia, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one another, agree to
organize ourselves into a civil body politic so that we can accomplish our goals. We agree to create just and equal
laws, constitutions and offices frome time to time, that we think will best suit the general good of the colony to which
we promise all due submission and obedience.
Document 2: (The Rhode Island Charter, 1663) Providence was founded in 1636 as a settlement by English
clergyman Roger Williams, after he was banished by the Massachusetts Great and General Court. Williams selected
the name in gratitude for "God’s merciful providence" that the Narragansett have granted him title to the site. Anne
Hutchinson was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638 and brought more settlers who were attracted to
the colony by the promise of religious freedom to establish Pocasset, now Portsmouth. The State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations also gave protection to Quakers in 1657 and to Jews from Holland in 1658.
From this time on, no person in this colony will in any way be bothered, punished, or called to answer for any
differences in opinion in matters of religion. But all people may, at all times hereafter, freely and fully have and
enjoy their own judgments and consciences in matters of religion.
Document 3: (Establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619) In July 1619, a meeting of the House of
Burgesses was held in Jamestown, the first such assembly in the Americas. The initial session accomplished little,
however; it was cut short by an outbreak of malaria. The assembly comprised 22 members who represented the
following constituencies:
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The governor, who was appointed to his position by the company officials in London
The governor’s council, six prominent citizens selected by the governor
The burgesses (representatives) from various locales, initially the larger plantations and later in Virginia
history from the counties.
The House of Burgesses was empowered to enact legislation for the colony, but its actions were subject to veto by
the governor, council and ultimately by the directors in London. Voting for the burgesses was limited to landowning
males over 17 years of age.
Document 4: Local government in New England were based on town meetings where citizens gathered to discuss
town problems, levy taxes on themselves and elect town officers. An example of a New England Town Meetings:
(from The Fundamental Agreement of the Colony of New Haven, June 4, 1639)
The 4th day of June 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling
civil government, according to God. To create the establishment of such civil order as might be most pleasing unto
God. These will include all public officers which concern civil order, as choice of magistrates and officers, making
and repealing laws, dividing allotments of inheritance, and all things of like nature. This was agreed upon by
consent of all, as was expressed by holding up of hands.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Identify the term: Democracy.
2. How did colonial political democracy develop in the following areas? a. Government under law, b. Separation
of church and state, c. Majority rule, d. Freedom of speech, e. Freedom of religion.
3. Which of these would you consider the most important? Explain your answer.
4. To what extent would you consider Colonial America democratic? Give at least two examples to support your
conclusions.
B.P.A. History
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Lynch - Morgan