Colonial Governments Overview

Questions and Answers

What were the three types of colonies in British America?

Charter colonies

Proprietary colonies

Royal colonies

All of the above (correct)

What is a charter colony?

A charter colony was established by groups of settlers who had been given a charter or a grant of rights and privileges.

What is a proprietary colony?

A proprietary colony is run by individuals or groups to whom land was granted.

What is a royal colony?

A royal colony is ruled directly by Britain, with a governor and council appointed by Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

What colonies were charter colonies?

Connecticut and Rhode Island Signup and view all the answers

What colonies were proprietary colonies?

Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania Signup and view all the answers

What colonies were royal colonies?

Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia Signup and view all the answers

What colony does the textbook fail to include in a category?

South Carolina Signup and view all the answers

According to a site, how many types of colonies were there and what were their names?

2 colonies, Corporation and Provincial Signup and view all the answers

What colonies were considered corporation colonies?

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut Signup and view all the answers

Aside from Rhode Island and Connecticut, what 'organs' made up each of the other colonial governments?

The governor, the council, and the assembly. Signup and view all the answers

What were three powers royal governors had?

They could convene, prorogue, or dissolve the legislature; command the militia; and appoint officials. Signup and view all the answers

What was one very important power that the governors did not possess?

They had no power over the funds raised by a government by taxation. Signup and view all the answers

How many people usually made up the colonial councils and what were the three functions of the council?

12 men usually made up the councils; functions included advising the governor, constituting the upper house of the legislature, and forming the highest court of the colony. Signup and view all the answers

What were the two powers of the assemblies, or lower house of the legislatures?

They had chief legislative power and the sole power of taxation. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the colonists feel that they were self-governing?

Because they had the power of taxation. Signup and view all the answers

How did the lower house check the power of the governors?

They would withhold supplies and refuse to grant the governor his salary until he approved certain laws. Signup and view all the answers

Under what names did the assemblies of colonial America operate?

House of Delegates, Assembly of Freeman, and House of Burgesses Signup and view all the answers

What were the qualifications needed for a person to be able to vote in America?

A white man who was a citizen, owned land, and sometimes had to be of a certain religion. Signup and view all the answers

What is mercantilism?

An economic idea that a country will be better off with a positive trade balance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Types of Colonies

Three main types of colonies in British America: Charter, Proprietary, Royal.

Charter Colonies

Established by settlers with a charter granting rights and privileges.
Governed by elected governors and legislatures, with limited British oversight.
Examples include Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Proprietary Colonies

Governed by individuals or groups who received land grants.
Governors and upper house members were appointed by the proprietors, while the lower house was elected by the people.
Examples include Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Royal Colonies

Directly ruled by Britain, with governors and councils appointed by Parliament.
Led to conflicts with colonists over governance.
Examples include Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Unclassified Colony

South Carolina was not classified in a specific category in certain texts.

Corporation Colonies

Some sources categorize colonies into two types: Corporation and Provincial.
Corporation colonies included Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Colonial Government Structure

Governed by a combination of a crown-appointed governor, a council, and an elected assembly.
Council functions included advising the governor, serving as the upper legislature, and acting as the highest court.

Powers of Royal Governors

Could convene, prorogue, or dissolve the legislature and veto laws.
Commanded the militia and appointed officials, carrying various responsibilities.

Limitation of Governor’s Powers

Governors lacked control over funds raised through taxation or other means.

Colonial Councils

Typically composed of 12 members.
Served as advisers to the governor, the upper legislative house, and often the highest court.

Assembly Powers

Held primary legislative power, although acts could be vetoed by the governor or overridden by the crown.
Sole power of taxation, which they guarded fiercely.

Perception of Self-Governance

Colonists believed they were self-governing due to their power to tax and secure their liberties.

Checks on Governor’s Power

Assemblies could withhold financial support and salaries to influence the governor’s decisions.

Names of Assemblies

Operated under various names, including House of Delegates, Assembly of Freeman, and House of Burgesses.

Voting Qualifications

Requirements included being a white male citizen, landowner, and sometimes meeting religious criteria.

Mercantilism

Economic theory promoting national wealth through positive trade balance, favoring exports over imports to accumulate monetary reserves.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the types of colonies in British America with this flashcard quiz. Learn about charter, proprietary, and royal colonies, their definitions, and characteristics. Perfect for history students or anyone interested in colonial America.