how did britain administer the colonies? Flashcards
what was the role of governors?
appointed by the king and could only be removed by the monarch
most were mediocre or incompetent but held an absolute veto over the colonies
how much power did governors have?
determine when and where assemblies could meet
they could adjourn legislative sessions and postpone elections indefinitely - british parliament couldn’t do this
created courts, named and fired judges - king couldn’t do this
could appoint/ remove officials, command militia/navy and ‘execute everything which doth and of right belong to the governor’
same authority as the king, sometimes more
what was the role of assemblies?
made up of two houses - upper and lower
upper house councils appointed by the governor
lower house elected - property qualification needed but more people owned property than in britian - more qualified for election
how much power did assemblies have?
controlled budget by their right to vote on taxes and spending
could initiate legislation, used as often as possible e.g to curve the power of the governors by controlling political salaries
how much power did proprietary colonies have?
authority in the hands of ruling families
lots of power over lands in pennsylvania
legal responsibilities
could appoint all officials; create courts, hear appeals, and pardon offenders; make laws and issue decrees; raise and command militia; and establish churches, ports, and towns.
how much power did corporate colonies have?
had extensive autonomy but were basically governed by the monarch
how much power did crown colonies have?
monarch appointed the governor
didn’t have their own parliament/ government
what was the board of trade?
an english advisory board for trade and colonial government
what did the board of trade do?
advised on colonial appointments
drew up government instructions
reviewed/disallowed colonial legislation
answered to the parliamentary committee of plantation affairs which made recommendations to the privy council
was the board of trade effective?
not really, it resulted in confused policies and duplication
most colonies employed agents in britain
what is salutary neglect?
neglect of colonial affairs; not enforcing things they said they would
did salutary neglect lead to effective british rule over the colonies?
no, it involuntary led to more autonomy which eventually led to american independence
