Government Sort of the Colonial Regions

Participated in some form of self-government, which means that the citizens of each colony created their own laws and that everyone agreed to follow the laws that were made.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

White men who owned property were eligible to vote and hold public office.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

Each colony also had a governor who was somewhat controlled by the King of England.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

These colonies were made up of small, close-knit villages and communities, which led to a town meeting method of government.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

These colonies were formed around the strong religious beliefs of the Puritans and other groups, so government was strongly affected by religious beliefs.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

These colonies were made up of small, spread out settlements. This encouraged the use of county government. Each colony elected its own legislature to create laws for the colony.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

Religious tolerance was practiced throughout this region, so many different religious groups contributed their political traditions to the region.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• All 13 Colonies

Religion played a minor role in the government.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• Both Middle and Southern Colonies

These colonies were made up of numerous plantations and loosely connected towns and cities. Because people were spread out, the use of county government was encouraged.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• Both Middle and Southern Colonies

Each colony elected a legislature to create laws for the colony. The most powerful men in the colony tended to be the wealthy and elite plantation owners.

• New England Colonies

• Middle Colonies

• Southern Colonies

• Both Middle and Southern Colonies