American Colonies: Government Formation
Reflection Analysis 1
Joseph Casale
PLCY 702: The Founding Era and Constitution
March 28, 2021
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Introduction
The United States of America (US) has a rich history that shapes the values that the
country boosts currently. The transformation of the US from the British and other European
colonies to a global superpower is immense, and the success indicates the power of solidarity,
diversity, organization, and excellent governance in meeting collective goals and objectives. The
American colonies, also referred to as the thirteen British colonies, were rapidly established in
the 17th and early 18th centuries (Johnson, 1997). The period marked the beginning of
exploitation and deprivation of some of the primary or fundamental human rights that American
citizens currently enjoy. The British possessed vast territories, which extended from Maine to
Georgia. It is at this time that slavery became rampant and embedded in the American culture.
The systematic governance structure led to harmonious existence and mutual relationship
between the American colonies and the British regime. However, the imposition of stringent
policies and laws after the French and Indian war prompted the American colonies to create an
opposition structure that would resist and rebel against the newly imposed taxes, such as the
Stamp Act (1765) and the Sugar Act (1764). This led to the famous American revolution, which
steered the country to independence. However, before independence, the American colonies
collaborated in an organized structure deemed the government's origin. Thus, this paper will
discuss how philosophical, political, and religious factors influenced the prerevolutionary
American governments' formation and operations.
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Philosophical Thought and Ideology
Philosophical thoughts provide varied explanations about different aspects of life.
Philosophy is an ancient but broad field that acts as a guiding principle for behavior. Specific
philosophical thoughts guided the formation and ultimate operations of the prerevolutionary
American governments. Most importantly, the prerevolutionary governments were created based
on promoting residents' natural rights within the colonies. John Locke is an ancient and
prominent political thinker whose ideology (promoting natural rights) had an immense impact on
the colonial era's governance structures. Precisely, Locke, a 17th century English philosopher,
proposed that the government respect natural rights that were believed to be God-given (Lumen
Learning 2019).
Most importantly, he advised the prerevolutionary governments to respect the rights to
life, liberty, and property. This provision adheres to some of the major biblical principles,
including the ten commandments. Locke proposed that the governments of the colonies should
use courts to punish residents who violate these provisions. The recommendation adheres to a
message from the book of Matthew 5:21, which states that the ancient commands forbid people
to commit murder, and whoever contravenes the provision shall be liable to the court. The
proposals enabled the British colonies to maintain order and ensure that most human rights are
safeguarded. This principle was later on incorporated into the American constitution (Kelly,
Harbison & Herman 1991). Precisely, the ninth amendment of the current American constitution
lists the fundamental rights enumerated in the document, including the right to live. However,
Locke’s recommendation was not fully implemented in the colonies. North American colonies
imported African slaves and captured the Native Americans, thus violating their rights to
freedom and property ownership. Also, the women could not own properties independently.
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Despite these discrepancies, the prerevolutionary American governments tried to create a system
that fosters the residents' natural rights within the colonies.
Locke’s philosophical ideology did not commence with the thirteen American colonies.
The structure was initially developed before the colonial era by the British hierarchy. The British
government had long recognized its duty to safeguard its citizens' lives, property, and liberties
before embarking on their colonial quest. Precisely, King John I signed the Magna Carta
provision in 1215 that insured the British citizens against harmful government actions that might
be detrimental to their wellbeing in the long-run. This clause is the basis of the fifth and sixth
amendments of the current US constitution. The point of deviation between the Magna Carta and
Locke’s proposition is the origin of power. Locke argues that God has granted natural rights. As
such, the aforementioned natural rights should not depend on human beings and their authority,
including the royal class. Also, Locke described the association between the government and the
people as a social contract that thrives under specific settings (Qader 2018). Precisely, the
implicit agreement requires the people to willingly sacrifice some of their freedom (a small
percentage) to get the government protection that safeguards their lives, liberties, and property.
As such, the people have the power to nullify the contract if the ruling class or the government
deprives them of their rights by abusing power given to them by the citizens. Ultimately, the
American colonies realized the power enshrined on the people and developed governments
whose inherent actions prioritize most citizens' rights and views. As such, the American colonies
joined hands to rebel against the British regime. The colonies replaced the monarch system with
a new government that was greatly limited in exercising power. This is the basis of a democratic
setting, where leaders are perceived to be servants of the people who safeguard the lives,
liberties, and properties of the citizens.
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Besides, the prerevolutionary governments believed in the principle of self-governance.
Self-governance is a familiar concept that depicts the sovereignty of a nation. In a political
context, it refers to a government's ability to exercise all the critical functions without external
influence or intervention. The US is a sovereign state, and its independence commenced during
the colonial era by the prerevolutionary governments. Initially, the British regime, to some
extent, allowed a degree of self-government. The property-owning males were given the mandate
to elect representatives to parliaments (Johnson, 1997), who created structures that would foster
the colonies' stability and growth. For example, the colony of Virginia established its main house
of Burgesses in 1619 to govern itself (Beverley, 2020). Also, upon settlement in America, the
Pilgrims immediately instituted the Mayflower Compact (Johnson, 1997), which was an
agreement that allowed the group to govern themselves according to the laws created by the
males owning properties. By the early 18th century, all the colonies had functional legislatures
that fostered self-governance. The British government's attempt to compromise the sovereignty
of the colonies triggered the American Revolution, which later on led to American independence.
This culture of self-governance was initiated by the spirit of democracy and inclusiveness in the
US. This action adheres to some of the fundamental biblical principles. In Genesis 1:26, God
commands human beings to exercise dominion over all creatures and materials of the world. As
such, the Lord grants equal power to all human beings to use the resources in the world. Through
self-governance and democracy, power trickles down to the people, thus enhancing equity and
accountability.
Religion Meets Government
Religion played an integral role in shaping the political structure and operations of all the
American colonies. Lee (2017) mentions that religion was key to the majority of the British
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colonists' founding. The thirteen colonies were established on the principle of religious liberty.
For example, most of the New England colonies were created to offer a worshipping territory for
the Puritans. It is important to note that all the colonists considered themselves to be Christians.
However, not all of them lived in a culture of religious unity. The different Christian groups in
the thirteen British colonies believed that their different faith and practices required protection
against other believers' protests. Notably, the Puritans did not give other congregations,
especially the non-believers, the freedom of religion. The difference prompted the
prerevolutionary governments to create rules and regulations that would control the religious
activities and highlight the traditional values that the settlers should adhere to.
Most importantly, the New England governments, which Puritans predominantly led,
integrated the version of Protestantism in their political makeup to control the colony's religious
activities. For example, Connecticut and Massachusetts's governments inserted theocracy
provisions in their political structure, which indicates that leaders acquire their power and
positions from divine intervention (Facing History, 2019). The law in those colonies required the
leaders to use their civil authority to ensure that the residents conform to the religious-specific
provisions. The laws set punitive and stringent measures against individuals who deviated from
conventional religious practices. The law assumed that the non-believers were a threat to civil
order, a vice that warrants punishment to send a message to the entire colony. As such, the
governments in these colonies implemented harsh punishments to religious dissenters, especially
those who were vocal about their stance. For example, Roger Williams and Ann Hutchinson were
exiled from New England because of their outspoken criticism of Puritanism (Johnson, 1997).
There are mixed reactions regarding these approaches' suitability with the biblical provisions and
democracy as we know it in the modern context.
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On the one hand, the bible instructs human beings to adhere to the virtues and actions
specified in the bible. As such, it could be argued that the Puritan laws were simply an
enforcement criterion that ensured the residents in the colonies follow biblical values. However,
on the other hand, the scripture opposes oppression against other people. For example, Psalms
82:3 encourages Christians to defend the minority and alienated groups in society. As such,
instead of punishing the non-believers, it would have been biblical and democratic to allow them
to express their thoughts and engage them in an inclusive process to alter their stance. Under the
first amendment, the current constitution gives US residents the right and freedom to be affiliated
to any religion and their practices as long as they do not cause harm to others.
The Mid-Atlantic and Southern governments (colonies) also imposed some laws that
controlled religious practices in the territories. Notably, Virginia instituted laws and policies that
obliged all the residents to attend Anglican public worship (Facing History, 2019). The rise of
Baptist ranks in the colony prompted the colonial Anglican elites to respond with force by
instituting such laws. Consequently, the Baptists believers were regularly arrested, attacked by
mobs, and obstructed from conducting their prayer meetings. These actions led to disharmony, as
evidenced by the rise of discord and discontent within the colony. It is argued that the dissenters
in Virginia suffered the worst consequences, including murder, due to the skewed laws and
provisions. These actions violate some of the fundamental biblical principles. For example,
Isaiah 1:17 urges Christians to learn to do good, seek justice, and correct society's oppression.
The skewed and unjust laws set by the government of Virginia violate these divine commands.
Summary and Thoughts
To summarize, the formation and operations of prerevolutionary governments were
influenced by several factors. First, the governments were guided by Locke’s philosophical
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principles, which believed in the power of social contracts and self-governance to create a
democratic setting. Also, Locke’s philosophical perspective created the basis of self-governance,
which prompted the American revolution once the British parliament tried to delegitimize this
approach. Second, the religious affiliations and beliefs guided the formulation of some of the
laws in different colonies. Some of these provisions, such as self-governance and democracy,
adhere to the biblical principles and align with the current government. However, religious-based
laws have since been abolished because they discriminate.
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Bibliography
Beverley, Robert. The history of Virginia. BoD–Books on Demand, 2020.
Facing History. "Religion in colonial America: Trends, religion, and beliefs." FAO, 2019.
Accessed March 26 2021. https://www.facinghistory.org/nobigotry/religion-colonial-
america-trends-regulations-and-beliefs
Johnson, Paul. A history of the American people. Harper Collins e-books, 1997.
Kelly, Alfred H., Harbison, Winfred A. and Herman Belz. The American Constitution: Its origin
and development, Volume 1. 7th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1991.
Lee, Jack. "Imperial Anglicanism in Colonial America." (2017).
Lumen Learning. "The prerevolutionary period and the roots of the American political tradition."
LL, 2019. Accessed March 26 2021.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/amgovernment/chapter/the-pre-revolutionary-period-
and-the-roots-of-the-american-political-tradition/
Qader, Asrin Zrar. "Freedom in Kurdistan Society–In the light of social contract theory John
Locke." International Journal of Kurdish Studies 4, no. 1 (2018).
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