Test Your Knowledge of Colonial Government Structures and Functions in England a...

Comparison of Government Structures and Functions in England and the Colonies

• Governments in America today share similarities with the governments of the thirteen colonies.
• The original "New England" had town meetings, while the South had county governments, which still exist in many states.
• Each colony was run by a government headed by a governor and a legislature, under the British Parliament and King.
• The power struggle between the governor and assembly is described in complaints from both parties.
• The colonial governor was usually appointed by the King and served as the chief law enforcement officer in the colony.
• The governor had veto power over laws passed by the Assembly and Council and could dissolve the lower house.
• The Council acted as the "Supreme Court" for the colonies and often served as advisors to the governor.
• The House of Lords was the chief court of the land in England, while the House of Commons started all money bills in both England and the colonies.
• The actual function of the British government was influenced by appointed officials and powerful noblemen, while colonial governors were often unfamiliar with colonial politics.
• Members of Parliament and the Assembly often traded votes for well-paying government jobs.
• The colonists hired agents to represent their views to Parliament.
• Students can analyze the structure and function of government in England and the colonies to determine the degree of democracy and compare elections, appointing powers, salaries, and time in office.