Government for the Southern Colonies
Virginia
Virginia was the first successful English colony. It began at Jamestown in 1607.The colony created the first elected legislature in 1619, which was called the House of Burgesses. Burgesses mean representatives. Only white men who owned property were allowed to vote or be elected. In 1632, the Anglican Church became the official church of Virginia because nearly all of the members of the House of Burgesses were Anglican. All of the people that were not Anglican had to leave the colony.
Maryland
The creation of Maryland started in 1632 when King Charles I gave land to Lord Baltimore. Lord Baltimore wanted Maryland to be a safe refuge for Catholics. In 1649, The Toleration Act was passed. This was the first law in America that said that all Christians were free to worship in their own ways.
North and South Carolina
Later, King Charles II started Carolina in 1663. He did this to keep the French and Spanish away. In 1729 though, Carolina split into North Carolina and South. The Northern part had very few harbors, no rich soil, and spoiled land. However, the southern part had excellent farmland, rich soil, and plenty of harbors. It grew much faster than the northern part.
Georgia
In 1732, the colony of Georgia was started when King George II gave land to James Oglethorpe. Georgia was named after King George II. Oglethorpe wanted Georgia to be a place where poor people could start new lives. The colonists would not elect a legislature. At first, slavery wasn’t allowed. However, when people
voted, the majority said that they wanted slavery to become legal.
Virginia
Virginia was the first successful English colony. It began at Jamestown in 1607.The colony created the first elected legislature in 1619, which was called the House of Burgesses. Burgesses mean representatives. Only white men who owned property were allowed to vote or be elected. In 1632, the Anglican Church became the official church of Virginia because nearly all of the members of the House of Burgesses were Anglican. All of the people that were not Anglican had to leave the colony.
Maryland
The creation of Maryland started in 1632 when King Charles I gave land to Lord Baltimore. Lord Baltimore wanted Maryland to be a safe refuge for Catholics. In 1649, The Toleration Act was passed. This was the first law in America that said that all Christians were free to worship in their own ways.
North and South Carolina
Later, King Charles II started Carolina in 1663. He did this to keep the French and Spanish away. In 1729 though, Carolina split into North Carolina and South. The Northern part had very few harbors, no rich soil, and spoiled land. However, the southern part had excellent farmland, rich soil, and plenty of harbors. It grew much faster than the northern part.
Georgia
In 1732, the colony of Georgia was started when King George II gave land to James Oglethorpe. Georgia was named after King George II. Oglethorpe wanted Georgia to be a place where poor people could start new lives. The colonists would not elect a legislature. At first, slavery wasn’t allowed. However, when people
voted, the majority said that they wanted slavery to become legal.