Examples Of Democracy In Colonial America

A1: Though the three English colonial regions—the Chesapeake area, New England, and Pennsylvania—were all relatively close to each other, there were stark differences between them. To begin with, they all had very different government structures. In the Chesapeake area, the government closely resembled that of England where power resided in one individual. In England there was a king while in Maryland, there was a royal governor. In both cases, the ruling individual had control over all branches of the government; however, the successor of the first governor in Maryland soon realized that colonists would not enjoy fewer liberties in the colonies than at home. Hence, Cecilius Calvert gave up their rights to initiate all colonial laws and shifted power to the people by governing by their advice and with consent. On the other hand, in New England, government was theocratic in nature where church and state were synonymous and where power resided in the leaders of the church. In addition, the Pennsylvanians had a much more democratic government structure where there was a proprietor and a legislative assembly that gave the people the right to appoint government officials—one of many rights that

In colonial America, democracy was a work in progress with both undemocratic and democratic features, for democracy was just beginning to form in this early country. Our past government was based on democracy,but colonist were only just starting to understand the concept of this, resulting in plenty democratic and undemocratic features.

For some British thinkers, the word “Democracy” was directly used for referring to the “House of Commons” unlike in the early American Revolution where the word “Democracy” was referred to as the greater equality inspired by the struggle for independence. Democracy did not exist in the colonies before the Revolution because political status was directly related to wealth. Special qualifications were supposed to be met in order to be eligible to vote or to be sitting in an assembly.

Congress enlisted a small committee to write the Declaration of Independence. The language within the declaration “…was well suited to unite large numbers of colonists, and persuade even those who had grievances against one another to turn against England” (p. 251 para. 1). Many people were left out of the declaration because the main people targeted were white males. The small number of people actually included meant that few people could participate in government, which was nothing close to an actual democracy.

The 13 colonies in America started early on to create democratic features. Citizen participation, Equality, and majority rule with minority rights were just a few ways the did this. Colonial america was doing what they believed was right. In Colonial America, democracy was a work in progress with democratic and undemocratic features.

America was not always a democracy for all. We excluded everyone who was not a white male. Women and African Americans have been excluded the most. They were not allowed a lot of basic rights given to American citizens, because of their gender and race. African Americans were granted the right to vote in the late 1800’s; while woman were granted the right to vote in the early 1920’s. Even though they were granted the right to vote they didn’t always get to. There were many people who still considered them second class citizens and used intimidation to deter them from voting. After years of protest

In a democracy, individuals have both political and social equality. They all have the equivalent say in all matters that concerns them. At the point when the fourteenth amendment was passed and gave U.S born and slaves citizenship, it nearly felt like democracy was at last growing in the U.S. Be that as it may what the fourteenth amendment neglected to do was the give the African Americans the privilege to vote. It wasn't until the 1870 that the African American were given the privilege to vote, yet on the other hand it just gave the men the privilege to vote.

Changes that occurred within the colonies led to a more “American” society, as the population increased of diverse new settlers. Through key events in American history, the colonies slowly evolved into a more liberal country. Progressively the country was shaped to become a democratic government. It was clear that there was a different spirit in the colonies than in England. The colonists had come for many reasons, most known as a way to escape English rule. Whether their goal was religious freedom or economic opportunity, it was a goal that required independence from the King. The never expected the King’s actions in meddling in everyday affairs due to their willingness to owe allegiance to the King and pay taxes. There had not been a spirit of Democracy in England, neither in the colonies, however they were on their way. During the eighteenth century, the colonial society became more democratic due the Great Awakening, immigration, and the Zenger Case, as they helped bring toleration between different religions, speaking

All the colonies faced this problem. They knew about English law and understood about governors, legislators, and judges. The new "twist" in 1776 was the practice of placing the power of government in the people rather than in a monarch. The questions of how this popular sovereignty would be expressed through elections, and how often, and who would be eligible to vote, would become areas of considerable debate.

Considering the Constitution excludes the four groups which make-up a majority of America during the time; women, slaves, indentured servants, Native Americans and men who have no land, how can one regard the constitution as a democratic

The Mary Celeste is a ship that has been known to be lost at sea, and wasn’t able to arrive at its final destination. The Mary Celeste set off in November, 1872 with 10 passengers that included Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife, their two-year old daughter, and seven other crew members. that from New York, to Genoa, Italy. It was founded on December 4, 1872 adrift in the Atlantic ocean with no passengers. Over the years of evidence and possibilities, people still have no definitive answer as to what happened to the people of the Mary Celeste. However, over the many years of this mystery, people have been able to come up with a variety of theories. Some of these theories include that the people of the ship fled from an explosion from alcohol fumes, a possible pirate attack, and a possible mutiny from the crew members.

Rhode Island and Pennsylvania were examples of the two most democratic colonies of colonial America. Not all of the colonies were like this. For example, in (1629) non-separatists Puritans left from England and started a new colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony. People who did not agree with their views were often banished. Anne Hutchinson was one of these people who were banished. She was banished because she argued against the Puritan belief of predestination. She had a trial and from there was forced out of the colony. Another person that was kicked out of the colony was a man named Roger Williams. Williams was exiled from the colony because he was found to have “new and dangerous opinions” that disagreed with already established Puritan beliefs. Also, men that were not a part of a Puritan congregation could not vote in provincial elections. Freedom in this colony was somewhat limited.

Many believed that giving the vote to all would lead to misguided legislation. For the same reason they feared the control of political "parties" by corrupt people. The nation’s founders believed that “democracy” could contain harmful effects, but eventually the term had become acceptable and could be functional in American institutions. Citizens in the 1820s and 1830s slowly lost their fear that democracy would lead to anarchy. Though each individual was to be given an equal start in life, equality of opportunity did not mean equality of results.

people. There was a desire by many colonists to form a government based off democratic

     Building on English foundations of political liberty, the colonists extended the concepts of liberty and self-government far beyond those envisioned in the mother country. While Englishmen had some representation in their parliament, Americans took the system further. All colonies had some form of a two-house parliament system. Some, like New York, had governors appointed by the crown. Others, like Rhode Island, elected their own. Local government also varied between the colonies. The southern states had a strong County government, while the New England colonies relied on town-meeting government. In either case, voting was reserved to land-owning white men.