Final answer:
The New England colonies promoted democracy and self-government through practices such as the Mayflower Compact, the establishment of legislatures, and the constant expansion of power by the assemblies. The colonists believed they were living under an enlightened form of government and protested against objectionable policies and laws. These democratic ideals were deeply rooted in American political thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
The New England colonies promoted the ideals of democracy and self-government. The colonies had been practicing limited forms of self-government since the early 1600s. The American colonies developed a democratic tradition during their earliest stages of growth. For example, the English Separatists who settled the Plymouth Colony authored the Mayflower Compact, an agreement to govern themselves according to the laws created by the male voters of the colony.
Furthermore, the colonies established legislatures to make laws for their fellow colonists, and the assemblies constantly looked for ways to expand their power and responsibility over colonial affairs. When new governors arrived from England, they often accepted the assemblies' demands to retain their position, perpetuating the idea of self-government. Many colonists believed they lived under the most enlightened form of government in Europe and protested against objectionable policies and laws emanating from Parliament because they were British citizens.
The desire to limit government power and govern themselves was deeply rooted in American political thought. This core tenet of American political thought was also influenced by British government practices, such as representative government in the form of Parliament and the idea that property-owning males were allowed to vote for representatives. These democratic ideals continued to shape and define how colonists viewed the role and necessity of government, eventually leading to the American Revolution.