Democracy in the 13 Colonies Before the American Revolution: The Case of New England
Introduction to Governance in the 13 Colonies
The governance of the 13 American colonies prior to the American Revolution was a complex blend of feudal, republican, and theocratic elements. However, certain colonies, notably New England, pioneered foundational democratic principles that would later underpin the American constitutional republic.
Role of Governors and Laws
During the period before American independence, the kings of England appointed governors to oversee the colonies. These governors, often men from the aristocracy, wielded significant power but used it to gain personal wealth and land. They appointed colonial officials from landowners, creating a system where local laws were crafted and enforced by a select group of elites.
New England Colonies: A Democratic Model
New England, settled in 1630 by English Independents, offered a different model of governance and societal structures. The Independents, part of the Parliamentarian faction, had been resisting absolute monarchism since the 1620s. Their settlement principles were deeply rooted in religious and political ideologies that emphasized liberty of conscience, majority rule, and local autonomy.
Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, granted in 1629, established a commercial colony similar to the East India Company’s charter of 1600. It provided for a governor and eleven assistants, all appointed by the shareholders, and contemplated self-governing principles. The charter also restricted the colony from enacting laws counter to English laws and stipulated that 20% of all gold and silver found in the colony belonged to the crown.
Establishment of Towns and Congregations
The establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony included town formation and corresponding congregations. By 1630, the male settlers had become freemen, eligible to vote in colony elections. Eight towns and eight associated congregations were established, setting the stage for a direct democracy model. The colonies were not divided along class lines, as all members of the congregations were considered equal before God and in the civic sphere.
Development of Local Autonomy
Between 1630 and 1632, the governor and his assistants initially ran the colony with a blend of benevolence and arbitrariness. This period culminated in a constitutional crisis in 1632, leading to the creation of democratic principles such as local autonomy, a representative legislature, and the right to petition the government.
Emergence of Democratic Institutions
The development of the Great and General Court and the Town Meetings solidified democratic practices in the colonies. The Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 further entrenched these principles, including provisions for fair justice and popular sovereignty. While the Bay Colony was a theocracy, secular authority was placed in the hands of the godly, laying the groundwork for a later democratic nation.
Spread of Democratic Ideals
The democratic ideals of the New England colonies spread to other colonies. Thomas Hooker, John Haynes, Roger Williams, and John Wheelwright took the model to Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, respectively. This foundation was later revisited and admired by Jefferson and Madison, inspiring the American constitutional republic.
Conclusion
The democratic governance in New England before the American Revolution set a remarkable example of self-determination and equal rights. While the early colonial period saw some degree of absolutism, the principles of democracy, as exemplified in New England, played a crucial role in shaping the American constitutional democracy.