Sunrise At Philadelphia + A New Kind Of Revolution
Sunrise At Philadelphia + A New Kind Of Revolution
...N. Degler explains how government institutions had evolved in colonial America before 1763, and how it was threatened by new English actions and Britain's desire to re-gain control over the colonies. English policies and practices were the structure that helped shape colonial government, but the original policies of mother England had many differences to that of colonial policy that can be seen in many way both micro and macro. By the 1850's, many of the English practices and policies had been forgotten, and a unique American government had formed. Colonial governments still resembled those in England in many areas. All but four of the colonies were lead by a Royal Governor appointed by the King and a colonial assembly similar to Parliament. The English and the colonists differed greatly in the form and purpose of their constitutions. From the early 17th century in England, the government had been gradually moving towards providing Parliament with absolute power. Even the King was now considered under the law, divine right had been cast aside and Parliament was unapproachable in authority and power. The colonists did not believe their assemblies should have absolute rule. Also unlike the English constitution which consisted of a "body of law and custom from the beginning of the kingdom", the colonists believed that a constitution was an actual written document that could not be changed on a whim by a supreme legislature. England and the colonies also differed in another aspect. In England the executive and legislative branches were simply similar forms of the same body, the executive branch was only an association of ministers taken directly from Parliament. In America, it was not possible to develop in this way because the governor was appointed by the King. They believed the King, like their governor was the true executive. For most of the 17th century...
