Colonial Governance and the Rise of Political Tensions Before 1774

Before 1774, each American colony had a charter and a governor, often appointed by the king or a proprietor. Assemblies were elected by certain segments of the population. These governments functioned well until the 1760s when the British Empire tried to assert more control, leading to tensions. In 1774, after the destruction of tea in Massachusetts, the British suspended the charter and sent General Thomas Gage as governor. Assemblies were suspended, but they continued to meet elsewhere, leading to rival governments. The legitimacy of these governments was questioned, with some having royal backing and others popular support. This struggle for power and legitimacy occurred across the colonies, leading to the breakdown of British governance.

Who typically appointed the governor in most colonies before 1774?

• The king

• The town meeting

• The colonial council

• The local assembly

In which colony was the governor appointed by the proprietor?

• Massachusetts

• Pennsylvania

• Virginia

• New York

What event in 1774 led to the suspension of Massachusetts' charter?

• The Boston Massacre

• The destruction of the tea

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence

• The Battle of Bunker Hill

Who was appointed as the new governor of Massachusetts in 1774?

• Lord Dunmore

• Governor Hutchinson

• Patrick Henry

• General Thomas Gage

Where did the Massachusetts assembly meet after being suspended?

• New York

• Philadelphia

• Boston

• Salem

Where did the Virginia assembly meet after being suspended?

• A church

• A tavern

• A school

• A courthouse

What was a common outcome for royal governors during the breakdown of British authority?

• They were promoted

• They were driven out

• They gained more power

• They were ignored

What was the main issue with the rival governments that emerged?

• They both claimed legitimacy

• They were both ineffective

• They were too similar

• They were ignored by the people

Which figure dominated the Provincial Congress in Virginia?

• Benjamin Franklin

• Patrick Henry

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

What did the Provincial Congresses and committees of safety signify?

• The start of the American Civil War

• The end of colonial assemblies

• The strengthening of British control

• The collapse of British governance