Final answer:
The idea that New England towns practiced equal participation in government is largely false, as voting was limited to church members and the 'elect', with distinct social and economic classes impacting political rights. Over time, states began to broaden participation through state constitutions during the Revolutionary period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the statement that democratically governed towns in New England meant that equality and equal participation in government were highly cherished and practiced ideals, the answer would be generally false. While the New England town meeting was a democratic feature, full participation in government was not afforded to all. Voting rights were primarily limited to church members and by extension, the so-called 'elect' in places like Massachusetts Bay. Furthermore, there were social and economic distinctions that influenced political rights, such as the division between 'inhabitants' with land and church membership, and 'squatters', who could attend town meetings but not vote. However, the push for democratic tendencies gained traction with state constitutional conventions during the Revolutionary period, broadening the definition of participation in some states.