P2 APUSH Wiley Democracy in Colonial America, D___ Name

P2 | APUSH | Wiley | “Democracy” in Colonial America, D___ Name:

When Americans think of their democratic system and the rights associated with being an American (freedom of assembly, speech, religion, voting, etc.), they typically think of the colonial period as a time in which such ideas were cemented in American life. To what extent is that interpretation accurate?

Here’s the consensus among experts today: Due to British political traditions, distance from the mother country, and the influence of the Enlightenment, the British American colonies developed some democratic features. Despite this fact, many aspects of colonial life were strikingly undemocratic. A close look at the time-period suggests that colonial democracy was a work in progress (i.e. slowly developing). In this exercise, we’ll see if those generalizations should continue to be made.

For the purposes of this exercise we’ll use the following definition of democracy (though we’ll also consider whether we should adjust that definition as we go…):

“A system of rule based up on government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Of the people: popularly elected politicians pass laws that the people obey
By the people: everyone, regardless of race, gender, etc., should be allowed to stand for election
For the people: elected politicians should govern on behalf of the people

Before going further, how “democratic” do you think the U.S. is today, given the definition above? If we aren’t even meeting the prerequisites today, in 2017, should we be adopting a different definition for the colonial period (1600s-1700s)?

Throughout the exercise,our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Historical Background:

The English colonists brought ideas about government that had been developing in England for centuries, such as the principles of limited government and representative government. By the time the first colonists reached North America, the idea that government was not all-powerful had become an accepted part of the English system since the 13th century. As early as the 1240s, English nobles had begun to expect that the Crown would consult with them on issues of taxation. Later in the century, the British Parliament broadened to include representatives from all counties and towns. By the early 1300s, Parliament had come to be viewed as the people’s voice versus that of the king. Over time, the limitations on the power of the British Crown had increased such that by the late 1680s the government was transformed into a constitutional monarchy.

Limited government is the notion that governments, or monarchs, are bound by laws, as are subjects/citizens; it’s the idea that no one, not even a king, exists outside the law. These ideas were further enshrined in England during the colonial era, as in the English Bill of Rights (1688), which affirmed the concept of limited government and representative government. A representative system is one in which people elect delegates to make laws, as in the English Parliament; it consisted of an upper chamber and lower chamber, with members of the aristocracy in the upper chamber and elected merchants/property-owners in the lower chamber.

American legislatures grew out of the English practice of representation. Each colony had its own governor, legislature, and a court system. While this was somewhat democratic, it is important to note that women, enslaved peoples, indentured servants, and many white men could not vote due to property qualifications. Additionally, nine of the thirteen colonies had an official or established church which compelled colonists to be members or at least pay taxes to support. And many colonists remained intolerant of religious dissent. Despite these shortcomings, should the colonial experience still be remembered as a highly democratic one given the time period?

What political ideas did the colonists bring with them to the “New World”?

Essential Questions:

Throughout the period 1607-1754 (Period 2), to what extent did the British American colonies practice democracy? And to what extent was that “democracy”—if it existed—a reflection of colonial advancement, rather than a replication of British tradition?

Put another way:

Throughout the exercise, our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Instructions: Explore the documents below. Annotate around them. Consider how each document addresses the key questions in this exercise (see above). Then answer the questions that follow the documents.

Document 1: A basic chart highlighting the structure of most colonies

Document 2: A more detailed chart highlighting the structure of England vs. the colonies

Essential Questions:

Put another way:

Throughout the exercise, our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Document 3: Functions of British vs. Colonial Governments

Document 4: Maryland’s Act of Toleration (1649)

Essential Questions:

Put another way:

Throughout the exercise, our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Document 5: Voting Requirements in the British Colonies, circa 1750

Document 6: House of Burgesses Preface for the General Assembly (1619)

Essential Questions:

Put another way:

Throughout the exercise, our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Document 7: Bacon’s Manifesto (1675)

Document 8: A depiction of the Salem Witchtrials (1692)

Essential Questions:

Put another way:

Throughout the exercise, our goals are to figure out:

the extent to which the colonies were “democratic”

what standards we should have for “democracy” in the colonial period

whether thecolonists should get credit for advancing democracy (as they typically do)

if colonists were merely replicating already-existing British models of democracy (should England get more credit for “democracy” in America?)

Based on documents 1-8, and any other materials from Period 2, what conclusions can be drawn regarding the essential questions? (see above)

Respond in full sentences (they can be bulleted sentences if they reflect different ideas) and reference at least five of the documents.

What else would be helpful to know from this time period to better answer the question? What documents/data would be helpful to analyze.