Lesson Purpose
This lesson explains how British ideas about government were put to use in the colonies. The lesson also describes why the colonists came to feel that the British government threatened their rights.
Lesson Objectives
When you finish this lesson, you should be able to explain how constitutional government developed in the colonies, and explain why the colonists decided to fight for their independence.
Lesson Terms
charter
A written document from a government or ruler that grants certain rights to an individual, group, organization, or to people in general. In colonial times, a charter granted land to a person or a company along with the right to start a colony on that land.
committees of correspondence
Daughters of Liberty
First Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress
Sons of Liberty
writs of assistance
