So You Think You Know Parliament? A Colonist's Guide to Deja-Vu Government
Ah, the 13 colonies. Land of opportunity, questionable dentistry, and a simmering dissatisfaction with the whole "being ruled by a king across the ocean" thing. But before they threw some serious tea into the Boston Harbor, let's talk about the governments these colonists were used to. Were they replicas of England's across the pond, or more like a janky DIY version? Buckle up, history buffs (and history-curious goofballs), because we're about to dissect some colonial constitutions!
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| How Were Many Colonial Governments Like The Government The Colonists Had Known In England |
It's Like England, But with Less Pageantry (and Probably Fewer Beheadings)
England's government in the 1700s was a bit of a hodgepodge. You had the King, obviously, the ultimate bossman. Then there was Parliament, a fancy term for a bunch of folks who argued about stuff (sound familiar?). Parliament had two houses: the House of Lords, full of posh dudes who inherited their seats (talk about participation trophies!), and the House of Commons, where elected representatives (well, propertied white men, anyway) supposedly spoke for the people.
The colonies took inspiration from this, but with some key differences. Most colonies had a governor (appointed by the king, because why mess with a good thing?), a council (like a mini House of Lords, but with less fancy hats), and an assembly (the colonists' version of the House of Commons). Here's the kicker: some assemblies were elected by the people (or at least, propertied white men again), which wasn't exactly the norm back in England.
So, similar structure? Yes. But with a dash of American can-do spirit (and a sprinkle of rebellion).
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
Not So Fast, Captain Colonist! There Were Exceptions
Now, before you start picturing a mini-Parliament in every colony, hold your horses. There were three main types of colonial governments:
- Royal colonies: These were the king's tight ship, with governors and councils chosen by him and less power for the assembly. Basically, the king was like, "This is my land, these are my rules."
- Proprietary colonies: Think of these as the king's party favors. He'd give massive chunks of land to rich dudes (proprietors) who could set up their own governments (with the king's okay, of course).
- Charter colonies: These colonies got a charter, basically a permission slip from the king, to govern themselves. They had more freedom, but the king could still yank their charter if they got too uppity.
So, the level of resemblance to England's government depended on the colony. Some were like shiny replicas, others were more like budget knock-offs.
Why Did It All Go Sideways Then?
Even with some level of self-government, the colonists weren't exactly thrilled. Here's the gist:
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
- Distance: Imagine trying to get a decent internet connection with the king as your service provider. Decisions took forever, and the colonists felt ignored.
- Taxes: The colonists weren't big fans of being taxed for things they had no say in. Taxation without representation? No thanks, said the colonists (while simultaneously drinking all the tea).
- Representation: Remember how most assemblies only included propertied white men? Yeah, a lot of colonists felt left out.
These frustrations, along with other factors (like a little thing called the French and Indian War), eventually led to the American Revolution. The colonists decided they were done with the whole "replica government" thing and opted for a brand new, self-made model (cue the fireworks!).
FAQ: You've Got Questions, We've Got (Kinda Snarky) Answers
How to revolt against a tyrannical government?
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Step 1: Stockpile tea. Step 2: Find a good harbor. Step 3: Don't forget the catchy slogans! (Seriously though, revolutions are messy and complex. Maybe try voting first?)
Tip: Review key points when done.
How to convince your friends you're a colonial government expert?
Drop terms like "proprietary colony" and "bicameral legislature" casually in conversation. Bonus points for knowing the difference between a royal governor and a bad haircut.
How to start your own colony?
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
Not recommended in today's world. Property rights are a thing, and unless you have a time machine and a very persuasive argument, you're probably better off booking a vacation.
How to win an argument about the American Revolution?
Focus on the principles, not the dates. It was about self-determination, not just a bad day at the tea shop.
**How to learn more about colonial governments
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