Final answer:
The House of Burgesses, established in Virginia in 1619, was the first elected legislative assembly in the New World, creating a governmental structure for the colonists to make laws and levy taxes. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The House of Burgesses was established in the Colony of Virginia in 1619 as the first legislative assembly in the New World. During a time of expansion due to the tobacco boom, it was appointed to create a form of government that would allow colonists to address issues and work for the common good. The House of Burgesses started with twenty-two elected representatives known as burgesses who met in a small church at Jamestown.
They were granted authority to make laws and levy taxes, although the English could veto their legislative acts. As Virginia expanded, the assembly's structure evolved, providing two representatives for each county and additional representatives for towns and the College of William and Mary, becoming part of the Virginia General Assembly in 1643. The establishment of this assembly allowed for the development of laws and governance closer to the will of the colonial people, a significant departure from the direct rule exercised by European powers.