Final answer:
The early English colonies in America like Virginia and Massachusetts were influenced by democratic principles from England, implementing forms of self-governance and democratic representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first English colonies in America were greatly influenced by earlier ideas about democracy and government, many of which originated from English political philosophies. One key influence was the Magna Carta, a historic English document that established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to law. These democratic principles established the basis of governance in colonies like Virginia and Massachusetts.
For example, in Virginia, colonists elected representatives to what became known as the House of Burgesses, marking the first instance of democratically elected legislature in the New World. In Massachusetts, they adopted the Mayflower Compact, an early form of social contract, which influenced future democratic ideals and set the stage of self-governance.
Learn more about English colonies in America