TOEFL Academic Passage Practice 025Representative Government in Colonial North America

Before 1750, residents of North America’s colonies rarely viewed themselves as a single, united group. The colonies lacked an overarching government or shared political body to address mutual concerns. The idea of forming such an organization appealed only to a few eccentric thinkers. For most, America was merely a geographical region, not a distinct identity or mindset.

When asked about their nationality, most colonists would have identified themselves as English or British. Even though some colonies included significant populations of Dutch, German, and Scotch-Irish settlers, English culture and institutions dominated. Many colonists still referred to England as “home,” even if they had never set foot there. However, the institutions that developed in the colonies diverged from their English counterparts. Colonists selected and adapted ideas from their English heritage to suit their own circumstances, ignoring developments in England that they considered irrelevant. These adaptations led to notable regional differences—New Englanders often had more in common with one another than with Virginians. Still, certain political ideas and practices became shared across all the colonies, creating a sense of distinctiveness from England. These shared features, though not fully recognized at the time, laid the groundwork for what would become a uniquely American national identity.

The political ideas brought to the New World by English settlers shaped the governments of the colonies. However, the colonists’ concept of representative government soon diverged from England’s model. In England, representative government emerged in the Middle Ages when the king sought advice from representatives chosen by their communities. Over time, these advisors gained influence, and the House of Commons became the most powerful branch of government.

Representation in the House of Commons, however, became increasingly disconnected from reality and was considered ridiculous by some. Many boroughs with tiny populations still sent representatives, while newer, growing towns had no representation. Moreover, only a small portion of England’s population could vote, as voting required property ownership yielding at least 40 shillings annually. Despite criticism of this system, it persisted, and a theory arose to justify it: members of the Commons were said to represent the entire country, not just the people who elected them. This concept of “virtual representation” meant that all English citizens were indirectly represented.

In contrast, the colonial assemblies were far more democratic. Although property ownership was still a requirement for voting, the majority of adult white males in the colonies owned enough land to qualify. Representation was also more evenly distributed. In New England, each town could send delegates to the legislature. In other colonies, counties were typically the unit of representation. Although representation sometimes lagged behind population growth in the expanding western territories, the system was far less imbalanced than in England.

Colonial representatives were expected to act as agents for their constituents. Unlike in England, where representatives were seen as serving the entire nation, colonial representatives were accountable to the specific people who elected them. In New England, town meetings— which could be called at any time— often directed representatives on how to vote on particular issues, reflecting a more participatory and localized approach to governance. This flexibility allowed citizens to respond quickly to emerging concerns and ensured that representatives remained closely aligned with their constituents’ views.