Question

List three reasons why religion and virtue contributed to the growth of representative governments in the American Colonies.

a) Increased moral values, enhanced community trust, and greater political participation
b) Religious tolerance, economic stability, and social equality
c) Encouragement of education, promotion of individual rights, and establishment of social justice
d) Preservation of cultural identity, prevention of corruption, and promotion of economic development

Answer 1

The growth of representative governments in the American Colonies was influenced by religion and virtue, which led to increased moral values, enhanced community trust, and greater political participation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The growth of representative governments in the American Colonies was greatly influenced by religion and virtue. Three reasons why this occurred are as follows:

Increased moral values: The colonists' beliefs in natural rights and laws, rooted in Judeo-Christian values, emphasized a set of moral standards which contributed to individuals' behavior that supported the common good.

Enhanced community trust: With a variety of religious beliefs present in the colonies, the emphasis on religious tolerance fostered a sense of trust within communities. This in turn supported the idea of self-governance and the need for representative government structures.

Greater political participation: The belief that ownership of property was a sign of virtue led to the idea that property owners should have a greater voice in government. While this did create a bias towards the elite, it also encouraged participation from these groups in the political process, laying the groundwork for representatives being elected to make laws.