Politics in the Southern, Middle, and New England Colonies
Politics in the colonies differed tenfold. In New England, Puritan religion shaped the government and communities obeyed the rules of the bible. Towns had more self-government than most colonies, and even had meetings once a year where men who owned property could vote on the laws of their town. Political issues generally centered on land ownership. The Puritans lived on Indian land, and unfortunately did not share identical views of what it meant to own said land, ultimately resulting in a war, which the colonists will eventually win.
In 1619 Virginia became the first colony to have an elected legislature. This assembly was called the House of Burgesses. Counties were established to provide government on the local level and were administered individually by a board of commissioners known as the county court. These men were responsible for judicial and administrative matters in their area. A large majority of the southern colonies followed the Virginia model of government. Similar to New England, only white men who owned land could be involved or elected into government. In New York and New Jersey, proprietors picked governors to rule the colonies. However, the colonists were a part of the government in two ways. When the governors were elected they chose a council that assisted in decision making, and colonists also elected representatives to an assembly. This was a step towards self-government for the people of the middle colonies.
In 1619 Virginia became the first colony to have an elected legislature. This assembly was called the House of Burgesses. Counties were established to provide government on the local level and were administered individually by a board of commissioners known as the county court. These men were responsible for judicial and administrative matters in their area. A large majority of the southern colonies followed the Virginia model of government. Similar to New England, only white men who owned land could be involved or elected into government. In New York and New Jersey, proprietors picked governors to rule the colonies. However, the colonists were a part of the government in two ways. When the governors were elected they chose a council that assisted in decision making, and colonists also elected representatives to an assembly. This was a step towards self-government for the people of the middle colonies.