Exploring the Foundations of Representative Government in Colonial America

Mr. Chapman discusses the reasons American colonists sought self-governance, drawing parallels to a world without instant communication. The colonists, accustomed to certain rights under England's parliament, found themselves distant from the king, leading to the establishment of their own representative governments. Key examples include the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact. The primary reasons for this shift were the geographical distance from England, the need for a social contract, and the king's neglect. The lesson concludes with a focus on understanding these motivations and their impact during the revolutionary era.

What was the main analogy used to describe the colonists' situation?

• A world without electricity

• A world without cell phones

• A world without cars

• A world without schools

What was the role of the British Parliament?

• To collect taxes

• To enforce laws

• To represent the interests of the common people

• To manage the colonies directly

What did the colonists expect when they arrived in the New World?

• To have no rights

• To have the same rights as in England

• To be ruled directly by the king

• To create a new form of government

What was the Virginia House of Burgesses?

• A royal palace

• A representative government

• A trading company

• A military fort

What was the Mayflower Compact?

• A trade agreement

• A peace treaty

• The first self-government in the colonies

• A military alliance

Why did the colonists start making their own decisions?

• They wanted to rebel

• They were bored

• The king was too far away

• They had no other choice

How long did it take for communication to travel between the colonies and England?

• A few days

• A few weeks

• Over two months

• A year

What is a 'social contract' in the context of colonial self-governance?

• A military alliance

• A set of rules everyone follows

• A religious pact

• An agreement to trade goods

Why did the king often forget about the colonies?

• They were self-sufficient

• They were too far away

• They were too small

• They were causing no problems

What should you remember about the reasons for the development of representative government in the colonies?

• The religious beliefs of the colonists

• The military strength of the colonies

• The wealth of the colonies

• The distance from the mother country