political
Colonial Government:
Colonial structure of government in the middle colonies was mainly based around the parties, that made up the majority of politics, examples being the Quaker and Gentlemen’s parties, that came after the death of William Penn in Pennsylvania These parties nominated candidates and contested elections for many years. Local Government: After the abolishment of the Anglican parish, and the failure of local administration into the hands of county justices, local government was run by county commissions, at first chosen by legislature, but after 1725 were chosen by the people (3 commissioners per county) What does this mean for you: This means that the common man, has more political power, as the legislatures is not fully in charge of local government, and it also propels many elections to have the vote of the common man, so you finally get to have a say. |
Important Political Colonial Members
William MarkhamWilliam Markham: Served as the the governor, while William Penn was in England,. William Markham was the first cousin towards William Penn and by early April of 1681, he gained many of the powers that Penn had, except to assemble legislature. He also negotiated terms with Lord Baltimore’s charter, and the boundary lines between their respective grants in 1767. By October of 1682, William Penn had returned, and William Markham had his commission lapsed. However, once Pennsylvania became administered by the crown, he became a deputy for Benjamin Fletcher, the governor of New York, who was given orders to unify the colonies, as for fortification purposes.
|
Benjamin fletcherBenjamin Fletcher: He was the governor of New York, that lived during the 17th Century, who was appointed by King William and Queen Mary. When he was appointed, he visited the Mohawk tribe, and learned their dialects and language, and aided them against French oppression. However, when he wanted to help fortify the colonies for the King and Queen, he was given power over the government of Pennsylvania, and other annexed territories When he arrived in Philadelphia, and the government surrendered to him, he held an assembly to discuss the fortification of the colonies on the frontier. This in turn helped to fend off Indian attack.
|
William PennWilliam Penn: Was in essence, the founder of the colony Pennsylvania. After he was persecuted for his religious beliefs, he, along with many other English Quakers purchased the land West of New Jersey, after appealing towards the King and the Duke of York. He was also the main proprietor of the colony. He believed in religious tolerance, and that if people were allowed to believe in what they wanted, it would prevent conflict. Another thing that was really good about William Penn, was that his ideals, won him the respect of the Native American.
|
Common Question that would be asked by people towards political candidates.
1. What do you plan to do, when it comes time to make decisions about certain legislation, and certain parties are split between ideas? (This question could be asked by anyone from the Pennsylvania colony)
2.How do you plan to go about protecting the colony itself, from invasion by the French/Native Americans. (This question could be asked by anyone in Pennsylvania or New York.)
3. How do you plan to deal with property disputes between Native Americans, by force, or diplomacy? (This could be asked by anyone in any middle colony)
4. How do you plan to attract people to come to the Middle Colonies, through commerce, and better trade or through more religious freedom? (This question could be asked by anyone in middle colonies)
5. How do you plan to go about slave regulations, and their containment, in order to prevent backlash, similar to that of Bacon's Rebellion? (This question could be asked by anyone from any of the middle colonies)
1. What do you plan to do, when it comes time to make decisions about certain legislation, and certain parties are split between ideas? (This question could be asked by anyone from the Pennsylvania colony)
2.How do you plan to go about protecting the colony itself, from invasion by the French/Native Americans. (This question could be asked by anyone in Pennsylvania or New York.)
3. How do you plan to deal with property disputes between Native Americans, by force, or diplomacy? (This could be asked by anyone in any middle colony)
4. How do you plan to attract people to come to the Middle Colonies, through commerce, and better trade or through more religious freedom? (This question could be asked by anyone in middle colonies)
5. How do you plan to go about slave regulations, and their containment, in order to prevent backlash, similar to that of Bacon's Rebellion? (This question could be asked by anyone from any of the middle colonies)