Representative government in the 13 English colonies in North America

1.Mayflower Compact

WHY is it important?

•The Mayflower Compact is important because it is the first time English colonists said they wanted to make their own laws.

•It is NOT a constitution, but a promise to make laws.

WHAT happened?

• The Pilgrims were not sure if they were landing in a part of America claimed by Britain.

• Some people on the ship said they would do whatever they wanted.

• The Mayflower Compact says no, they will have a government with laws.

WHO? The Pilgrims who will later have the first Thanksgiving.WHEN? 1620 WHERE? Massachusetts

Massachusetts is part of New England• NOT England!

England = Britain, an island in EuropeNew England = America

• A colony is a group of people who go to live in a new place but are still part of their old country.

11 November 1620

What it does.

They declare that •1. they are loyal to the king of England, James I

•2. they will all obey their government

•3. this is not a constitution, but states that they intend to write one later.

•4. Note: The first colonial constitution was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

Before landing at Plymouth 1620•In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia,

do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic,

for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices,

from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

In the Colonial Era, developments such as the Mayflower Compact represented

A. Colonial attempts to build a strong national government. B. Efforts by the British to strengthen their control over the colonies. C. Steps in the growth of representative democracy. D. Early social reform movements.

2. NEW ENGLAND TOWN MEETING

Comes from Puritan church government

• Puritans are “Congregationalists”

• Congregationalists

run their own churches– no pope, or bishops

• Congregation – the people in the church

3. VIRGINIA HOUSE OF BURGESSES

• FIRST LEGISTLATIVE BODY IN THE COLONIES.

• LIKE OUR CONGRESS TODAY, COULD MAKE LAWS.

• WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA

• 1619-1776

In the Colonial Era, developments such as the New England town meetings and the establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses represented

A. Colonial attempts to build a strong national government B. Efforts by the British to strengthen their control over the colonies C. Steps in the growth of representative democracy D. Early social reform movements