How were laws made in the thirteen colonies?
History · High School · Sun Jan 24 2021
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Laws in the thirteen American colonies were made through a process that involved several stages and was influenced by both the colonial governments and the British government. Here is a step-by-step look at how laws were typically made:
1. Proposal - A law would often start as a proposal or a bill. This could be introduced by a governor, a colonial assembly, or by a request from the citizens to their representatives.
2. Colonial Legislature - The bill would then be discussed and debated in the colonial legislature, which was usually bicameral, consisting of two houses: an elected lower house (such as the House of Burgesses in Virginia) and an appointed upper house (council).
3. Voting - Members of the legislature would vote on the bill. If it passed by a majority in both houses, it would move on to the next stage.
4. Governor's Approval - Once the legislature passed a bill, it would be sent to the colony's governor, who represented British interests. The governor could either approve (assent to) the bill, turning it into law, or veto it.
5. Review by British Authorities - Even if a bill was approved by the governor, it was sometimes subject to review by officials in England. The British Board of Trade, for example, had the right to review and disallow colonial legislation that was thought to conflict with British laws or interests.
6. Royal Assent - In some cases, the most important laws would require the royal assent from the King or Queen. This was typically the case for laws that had wider implications for the British Empire.
7. Publication and Implementation - Once approved at all necessary levels, the new law would be published and distributed so that the citizens could be informed of its provisions, and then it would be officially implemented.
It’s important to note that this system allowed for a degree of self-governance in the colonies but also maintained the control of the British Crown over its possessions. The desire for more autonomy and less interference from across the Atlantic was a contributing factor to the growing tensions leading up to the American Revolution.