Examples of early colonial self-governance beyond Plymouth Colony

📚 Quick Study Guide

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• Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630): Focused on Puritan religious ideals, but developed a General Court with elected representatives.
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• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639): Often considered the first written constitution in America, emphasizing individual rights and representative government.
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• New England Confederation (1643): A military alliance between several colonies (Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven) for mutual defense and cooperation.
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• Maryland Act of Toleration (1649): Granted religious freedom to Christians in Maryland, promoting a degree of self-governance distinct from purely religious colonies.
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• House of Burgesses (Virginia, 1619): While predating Plymouth, it's essential to remember the first representative assembly in the colonies, setting a precedent for self-governance, though initially limited.

📝 Practice Quiz

1. Which colony is known for the Fundamental Orders, often considered the first written constitution in America?
   1. Massachusetts Bay Colony
   2. Connecticut
   3. Plymouth Colony
   4. Maryland
2. What was the primary purpose of the New England Confederation?
   1. To establish a unified currency
   2. To promote religious uniformity
   3. For mutual defense and cooperation
   4. To regulate trade with England
3. The Maryland Act of Toleration (1649) granted religious freedom to which group?
   1. All colonists
   2. Puritans only
   3. Christians
   4. Catholics only
4. Which of the following colonies developed a General Court with elected representatives?
   1. Plymouth Colony
   2. Massachusetts Bay Colony
   3. New Haven
   4. Rhode Island
5. Which colony established the House of Burgesses?
   1. Massachusetts Bay Colony
   2. Virginia
   3. Connecticut
   4. Maryland
6. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut emphasized what?
   1. Royal Authority
   2. Strict Religious Doctrine
   3. Individual Rights and Representative Government
   4. Direct Democracy
7. Which colonies formed the New England Confederation?
   1. Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, New York, and Rhode Island
   2. Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven
   3. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
   4. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island