Democracy In Colonial America Essay

Democracy developed in Colonial America from 1607, at the founding of Jamestown, up to 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Democracy is defined as a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. Ideas from documents created in England, such as the Bill of Rights, were brought over to the colonies. These ideas were implemented into the society of the colonists. The colonists also created their own democratic documents and ideas. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was the first written constitution in America, and contained many democratic ideas including elections. The Mayflower Compact also had fundamental democratic

The Petition of Rights is a major English constitutional document and was one idea that helped to shape democracy. This document stated that no free man could be deprived of his liberties. In addition to this document, the Parliament of England also created the Habeas Corpus Act. This act stated that people unlawfully detained cannot be ordered to be prosecuted before a court of law. In other words, it prevented imprisonment for unknown crimes. Furthermore, one of England’s biggest influences on America was the Bill of Rights. This helped to create democracy by supporting rights such as freedom of speech and the legality of a standing army. Lastly, many ideas that influenced democracy came from John Locke. Locke supported that all men are created equal and that no one could harm one’s pursuit of life, liberty, or possessions. He also wanted the same laws for all socioeconomic classes, laws for the good of the people, and no taxes without the consent of the people. These many ideas from England helped in the creation of the democratic roots in the

Social mobility was one of the biggest reasons for this advancement. Social changes, such as the colonists’ abilities to move up the social ladder, made it easier for democracy to flourish. Also, there was no caste system. (You should really insert something more about this comment.) Indentured servants could eventually work off their “debts” and be released from their positions, and eventually own their own land. Another social reason was Frederick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis. His writing consisted of democratic ideas in the colonies, suggesting that colonists had moved westward to separate themselves from monarchy. Also, he believed everyone needed to work together to tame the wilderness, and that everyone wanted what was best for the people as a whole. Therefore, the society of the colonies also played a role in shaping