Final answer:
The manner in which a colony would be governed was often determined by factors such as the model of colonial government (royal, proprietary, or corporate) and the selection of the governor. The distance between the mother country and the colonies, as well as the number of property-holding men who could vote, also influenced colonial governance. Political tension between the assemblies and governors was common, with governors often accepting the assemblies' demands to retain their positions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The manner in which a colony would be governed was often determined by various factors. In colonial America, three models of government emerged: the royal colony, the proprietary colony, and the corporate colony. The selection of the governor differed between these models, with the crown appointing the governor in royal colonies, the proprietor choosing the governor with the crown's approval in proprietary colonies, and the voters selecting the governor without needing the crown's approval in corporate colonies.
Furthermore, the distance between the mother country and the colonies, along with the greater number of men meeting the property qualifications to vote, played a role in determining colonial governance. The time lag in communication and distractions faced by the crown often led to colonial assemblies making decisions, and the property-holding men who served in these assemblies had to be responsive to the needs of their constituents to retain their positions.
In addition, political tension between the assemblies and the governors was common. The assemblies sought to expand their power and responsibility over colonial affairs, while the governors aimed to win colonists over to their policies. In many cases, governors accepted the assemblies' demands to maintain their positions, thus perpetuating the idea of self-government in the colonies.