Final answer:
A Legislative assembly often represents a lower house in historical contexts, significant in the shift towards democratic governance, as seen in events like the establishment of the Duma in Russia and the National Assembly during the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legislative Assemblies in History
The concept of a Legislative assembly as a lower house, often representing the common people, such as peasants, is a recurring theme in historical transitions from autocratic to more democratic systems of governance.
The backlash against Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of the Duma in Russia in 1906, following the Revolution of 1905, serves as one such instance.
Although the Duma was a step towards democracy, its power was limited as the second house, appointed by the Tsar, held significant influence over it.
Another notable assembly was the National Assembly formed by the Third Estate in France in 1789, which led to the French Revolution.
The assembly was created in opposition to the undemocratic vote allocation of the Estates General, wherein each estate had one vote despite the Third Estate comprising the majority of the population.
This assembly played an essential role in moving France towards a constitutional monarchy.
In the context of the American colonies, legislatures were often structured with a lower house elected annually to avoid the risk of corruption and to ensure that representatives remained connected to their constituents' interests.
For instance, Maryland's constitution called for annual elections for the lower house and quintennial elections for the upper house.