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Difficulty: EasyNew England Colonies

Massachusetts General Court, 1635:

"It is therefore ordered, that the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands... to choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like; and to make such orders as may concern the well-ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws here established."

Which of the following historical developments in the New England colonies is best illustrated by the excerpt?

  1. The development of localized self-government through town meetingsAnswer
  2. B
    The growth of a plantation economy reliant on cash crops like tobacco
  3. C
    The strict enforcement of imperial mercantilist policies by the British government
  4. D
    The transition from indentured servitude to hereditary chattel slavery

Answer

The development of localized self-government through town meetings
The correct answer is correct because the 1635 Massachusetts order explicitly allows local freemen to elect their own officers and make local laws, which is the foundational basis for New England's system of town meetings and localized self-government.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Read the stimulus to identify key words like 'freemen of every town,' 'choose their own particular officers,' and 'make such orders... for their own towns.'
The text describes local towns making their own decisions and electing local officials.
Identifying the main idea of the source helps match it to the correct historical concept.
2
Analyze the options to see which matches the description of local decision-making.
The option describing localized self-government through town meetings is the correct match.
New England Puritan society was organized around close-knit towns where church members (freemen) participated in direct democracy at town meetings.

Key Concept

Puritan town meetings and local self-government in New England
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

New England Colonies

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