Mr. Jobe's AP US History

Early forms of colonial self-government and written constitutions prior to French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Pennsylvania
Charter of Liberties-written constitution guaranteeing freedom for all and unrestricted immigration
Frame of Government-guaranteed representative assembly elected by landowners

Massachusetts
Mayflower Compact-pledged to make decisions by the will of the majority
Town Meetings-came together, usually in the town church, to vote directly on public issues
Freemen-male members of the Puritan Church had the right to participate in yearly elections

Virginia
House of Burgesses-first representative assembly in North America

Maryland
Act of Toleration-granted religious freedom to all Christians

Connecticut
Fundamental Orders-established a representative government consisting of a legislature elected by popular vote and a governor chosen by that legislature

By 1750, the 13 colonies had similar systems of government, with a governor and a legislature, voting to adopt or reject the governor’s purposed laws. Lower houses, elected by eligible voters, voted for or against new taxes. Representative assembly elected by white male property owners


Events that fused the colonies together prior to French and Indian War

New England Confederation-4 New England colonies formed a military alliance to deal with the threat of attack from Indians

Franklin's Cartoon

Albany Plan of Union (1763)
Developed by Ben Franklin, it provided for a intercolonial government and a system for recruiting troops and collecting taxes from various colonies for their defenses

Great Awakening (1740s)

Edwards casts his spell

The movement affected every social class in every section on the colonies (common experience as Americans). If common people could make their own religious decisions without relying on authority of ministers, then they might make their own political decisions as well.

Emergence of National Culture
The colonies experienced the rights of free speech and a free press, becoming accustomed to electing representatives to colonial assemblies and tolerated a variety of religions.