Question

Which of the following best explains the evolution of English colonial governments during the colonial period?

a. Most of the colonial governments began as the Royal government and transitioned to proprietary regimes under joint stock companies.
b. Most of the colonial governments began as proprietary or chartered colonies that were governed based on the charters and proprietors but transitioned into colonies with Royal Governors and bicameral assemblies that made laws.
c. The English colonial governments were very different from each other, with some having colonial Kings that were in charge of individual colonies.
d. The English colonial governments did not change during the colonial period. They began as absolute democracies and remained absolute democracies until the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787.

Answer 1

Most English colonial governments transitioned from proprietary or chartered colonies to being governed by Royal Governors and bicameral assemblies, reflecting increased control by the Crown and Parliament. By the early eighteenth century, proprietary colonies became Royal Colonies under direct control of the English Crown.

Step-by-step explanation:

The evolution of English colonial governments during the colonial period is best explained by recognizing that most of the colonial governments began as proprietary or chartered colonies that were governed based on charters and proprietors. Over time, these colonies transitioned into colonies with Royal Governors and bicameral assemblies that made laws.

This transition marked a shift from a variety of governmental forms, including royal colonies, proprietary colonies, and corporate colonies, to an increasing control by the English Crown and Parliament, especially by the early eighteenth century. Initially, the colonial governors shared power with a legislature generally consisting of an appointed upper house and an elected lower house, although the level of authority and the method of governance varied based on the type of colony.

By the late seventeenth century, in pursuit of the goals of mercantilism and to assert greater control, the Crown reorganized many of the colonies, leading to Royal Colonies with direct Crown control. By the eighteenth century, proprietary administrations, which had once given the proprietors almost autocratic control similar to medieval fiefdoms, were largely replaced by royal administration in most colonies, except for a few like Connecticut and Rhode Island.