Thursdays class - Were the colonies democratic?

Document 1 Maryland’s Act of Toleration (1649)

... be it therefore with the advice and consent of this assembly ordered and enacted... that no person or persons within Maryland professing to believe in any form of Christianity shall from now on be in any way troubled, interfered with or embarrassed in respect to his or her religion, nor in the free exercise thereof..

1. Why did the assembly of Maryland create this law? (1) 

2. What freedom is protected by this law? (1) 

3. Name at least 2 groups that would not be protected by this law? (2) 

Document 2 Voting Qualifications (Requirements) (1763)  

1. Name at least two of the main qualifications (requirements) for voting in the thirteen colonies. (2)

2. Name at least two groups of people that could not vote in colonial America because of these qualifications (requirements). (2)

Document 3 The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)

“....It is ordered that there be yearly two General Assemblies or Courts...and a governor shall be chosen for the year and shall have power to administer justice according to the laws here established. The choice for governor shall be made by all those who are eligible to vote...

“...It is ordered that no person be chosen governor more than once, in two years... “It is ordered that every General Court shall include the governor, to moderate the

court... and if the governor neglects or refuses to call the General Court into session, the voters may do so.... In the General Court shall rest supreme power of the colony, and they only shall have power to make laws or repeal them, to levy taxes, dispose of unclaimed land; they shall have the power to call public officials or any other person into question for any misdemeanor and may with good reason remove or deal otherwise accordingly with the offender...”

1. Name at least one power given to the General Court in this document. (1) 

 2. Describe at least two democratic features of Connecticut’s government. (2) 

 3. What happens if a governor neglects his duties? (1) 

Document 4 Title Page from The Lady’s Law

1. What happened to property that a woman owned when she became married? (1) 

 2. According to this document, how were women unequal to men in colonial times? (1) 

3. According to the document, what happened to women in cases of divorce? (1) 

Document 5 The Plan of a Slave Ship  

1. Describe two ways a slave trader was able to fit slaves on a ship. (2) 

 2. What is undemocratic about this slave ship and the Middle Passage? (1) 

Document 6 Virginia House of Burgesses

This engraving is from the first meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1619. This legislature (law maker) was made up of representatives chosen by the people. Eventually, each colony in America would have a legislature.

1. What democratic activities are shown in the picture? (1) 

 2. How did the Virginia House of Burgesses allow citizens to have a voice in government? (1)

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________