Final answer:
The Massachusetts Bay colony's government was a theocratic system with voting rights limited to church members, evolving over time to include broader representation while maintaining religious qualifications for governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of government practiced in the Massachusetts Bay colony was characterized by a system in which only church members, termed as 'freemen,' were granted the ability to vote and hold public office. This system was established by the Massachusetts Bay Charter and evolved over time, with changes including the election of the governor by freemen rather than the Assistants and the expansion of the General Court to include representatives from various towns. Despite this representation, the system was not a full democracy in the modern sense, as voting rights were restricted to church members, effectively disenfranchising a portion of the population.
The New England town meeting was a democratic element of this governance structure, wherein all inhabitants, including those without the right to vote, could attend and voice their opinions. Over time, the Massachusetts Bay colony's government developed into a unique blend of oligarchic and democratic principles, influenced by the Puritan leaders' religious views and the practical needs of the growing community.