Colonial government

(By 1760, all of the colonies had a somewhat similar governmental structure; with a governor and a legislative assembly)

In most colonies, the governor was appointed by (and could be removed by) the British King. There were exceptions in:

- Proprietary colonies (where the person that ran the colony appointed the governor)

- Corporate colonies (where governors were elected)

In theory, governors had great power over the colonies, but in reality these were limited:

- They could be dismissed by the will of the British government

- They were dependent on revenue from the colonial assemblies (including their salaries)

This meant that governors were forced to act in the interests of both groups. 

These consisted of two houses:

- Upper House:

• Appointed by the governor
• Selected from the colonial elite
• Acted as an advisory board to the governor

- Lower House:

• Elected (and more representative of the people)
• Their legislation could be vetoed by the governor
• Responsible for initiating money bills and controlling expenditures

At least 50% of American white adult males could vote, compared to only 15% in Britain. Despite this, the colonies weren't very democratic:

- Not all white men owned enough property to entitle them to vote

- Women couldn't vote

- Slaves couldn't vote

- Bias meant that great landowners, rich merchants and men of the like were usually elected.

There were different structures of local government for the different colonial groups:

In New England the settlements were compact. They elected "selectmen" to manage local affairs. Local affairs were discussed in town meetings amongst freeholders who could levy local taxes and determine local laws.

Southern colonies were more spread out and government was more organised by county. The governor and wealthier men had greater influence in these colonies.

The middle colonies were a mix of both structures.

"Charters were the umbilical cords attaching the colonies to Britain - the mother country."

Charters = formal documents, granting or confirming titles, rights, or privileges.

The Privy Council and the British sovereign had joint authority to review colonial laws. Very few colonial measures were disallowed by Britain.

Many colonies employed agents in Britain. These would warn them of any pending measures by the crown and inform British officials of colonial thinking.

• British government knew it wasn't best to start trouble in the colonies
• The colonies were 3000 miles (4800 km) from Britain. 
• The British felt that the colonies were subject to parliamentary legislation (the colonists disagreed)
• Few colonists gave much thought to their relationship with Britain.

So the colonists were left largely to their own devices.