Government in the colonies varies

by the type of charter for that colony.

Question: What are the three types of colonial charters? Charter Colonies Proprietary Colonies Royal Colonies

Colonial Government

As the colonies grew, so did the

colonists views on government. Time and distance from the

mother-country necessitated some form of government to be in place.

The Crown also had the responsibility to enforce its laws on the colonies.

Colonial Government

American Colonies

TypeCharter

Proprietary

Royal

ColonyConnecticut, Rhode Island

GovernmentGovernor and Legislature Elected by Colonists

NoteGreat Britain had the right to approve governor, but governor could not veto legislature.

Connecticut, Rhode Island

Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania

Proprietor selected the governor and upper house. Colonists Elected the Lower House

Proprietor free to rule.

GA, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, SC, VA

Directly Ruled by Britain.

King appointed Gov. and Upper House. Colonists elected the Lower House.

The Constitution

• Written in 1787• Sets out the basic principles upon which government in the United States was built.

• Fairly brief document. • Organized into eight sections

• Preamble• Seven articles

• 27 Amendments