Final Answer:
One characteristic of the Virginia House of Burgesses was its role as the first representative legislative assembly in the American colonies. It played a pivotal role in shaping early American governance, providing a platform for colonial representatives to participate in decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Virginia House of Burgesses, established in 1619, marked a significant development in the history of American governance. As the first representative legislative assembly in the colonies, it showcased a key characteristic of early self-governance. The House of Burgesses consisted of elected representatives who were responsible for making laws and decisions on behalf of the Virginia colony.
This representative form of government laid the groundwork for later democratic principles in the United States. The members of the House of Burgesses were elected by eligible voters in the colony, reflecting the idea of governance by the people. Although limited to property-owning male colonists, it set a precedent for the representation and participation of citizens in the political process.
The establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses was a crucial step towards the development of representative government in the American colonies. It became a model for subsequent legislative assemblies in other colonies and laid the foundation for the democratic principles that would later shape the United States' system of government.