Democratic developments in colonial America

This information can be found in your lecture notes.


o 1619, Formation of the Virginia House of Burgesses: First representative assembly in America; beginning of representative government in America.
o 1620, Mayflower Compact: First agreement for self-government; freemen agreed to majority rule
o After 1629, New England Townhall Meeting: Church members discussed political and community issues
o Colonial Assemblies: The lower house of colonial assemblies gradually gained political influence; governors had difficulty ruling without the support of assemblies.
o 1639, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: First written constitution in America.
o 1643, New England Confederation: Connecticut, New Haven, Plymouth, and Massachusetts formed an organization for collective security against Indian attacks. This was an important step in creating more unity among New England colonies.
o 1649, Maryland Act of Toleration: Guaranteed religious freedom to all Christians (but not Jews and atheists)
o 1676, Bacon’s Rebellion: Western Virginia farmers revolted against eastern government; first of several major rebellions where common people are fighting for a more responsive government.
o 1683, New York chapter of Liberties: Granted freedom of religion to all Christians and gave all landowners the right to vote. Created to attract more settlers to New York.
o 1691, Leisler’s Rebellion: Jacob Leisler led a rebellion of frustrated poor people and farmers who protested huge land grants favoring wealthy landholders and speculators that left common people with few opportunities to own land.
o 1735, Zenger Case: A colonial jury found John Peter Zenger innocent of libel against New York's governor. This is an important first step towards freedom of the press.
o 1754, Albany Plan for Union: Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, this plan would have created an intercolonial congress. It was rejected by Britain for giving too much control to the colonies. It was also rejected by the colonies who feared an oppressive colonial congress.
o 1764, Paxton Boys: Western Pennsylvanians (Scots Irish) rebelled against gov’t believing gov’t was not doing enough to protect them from Amerindian attacks.
o 1771, Carolina Regulator Movement: Frustrated poor people from western North Carolina rebelled against the colonial government (similar to Bacon's Rebellion and Leisler's Rebellion)
o 1713-1763, "Salutary Neglect": The colonies enjoyed relative autonomy from British rule. Americans became used to regulating their own political and economic affairs (such as Triangular Trade) without British interference. When Britain tried to reimpose control in 1763, the road to revolution began.
o 1740s, Great Awakening: Americans enjoyed much choice regarding religious groups. Churches increasingly had to cater to the needs of their parishioners. This was an important democratic step.
o 1720s to 1790s, The Enlightenment: American political thought was influenced by Locke's natural rights philosophy (including consent of the governed) and Montesquieu's views on checks and balances.