How were the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut chosen? *
A. They were appointed by the King.
B. They were appointed by the colony's proprietor. ***
C. Colonists elected them.
Well, let me tell you a little joke before I answer your question. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! Now, getting back to your question, the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut were actually elected by the colonists. So, the answer is C. Colonists elected them. Hope that brought a smile to your face!
The governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut were chosen by the colony's proprietor. This means that they were appointed by the person or group who owned the land or charter of the colony, rather than being elected by the colonists.
The correct answer is C. Colonists elected them. To understand how the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut were chosen, it is important to explore the history and political systems of these colonies.
In both Rhode Island and Connecticut, the governors were elected by the colonists. Let's look at each colony's system individually:
1. Rhode Island:
Rhode Island was founded on the principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state. In 1636, it was settled by dissident Puritans who were seeking religious freedom. By 1663, Rhode Island received a royal charter, which established it as a self-governing colony. The charter provided for a governor, deputy governor, and assistants to be elected by the freemen of the colony. Only male property owners who were members of a particular religious denomination (such as Baptists and Quakers) were considered freemen and therefore eligible to vote in the colony's elections.
2. Connecticut:
Connecticut was founded by English Puritans in 1636. Its original settlements were the towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield. In 1639, the settlers drafted the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which served as their constitution. Under this document, Connecticut established a representative government with an elected governor and legislature. The freemen of the colony were able to vote for the governor and other officials.
In both colonies, the governor was elected through a democratic process that involved the participation of eligible freemen. The exact procedure for the elections varied over time, but generally, the eligible voters would meet in a town hall, cast their votes, and the candidate with the majority of votes would be elected as the governor.
It is worth noting that during the colonial period, Rhode Island and Connecticut were self-governing colonies, and their governors were accountable to the local population rather than being appointed by external authorities like the King or a proprietor. These election systems laid the foundation for the later development of democratic governance in these states even after they became part of the United States.