House of Burgesses
Representative assembly in colonial Virginia, which was an outgrowth of the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession, the General Assembly of Virginia.
The House of Burgesses was the first representative assembly in colonial America. It was established in 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia by the Virginia Company, the English joint-stock company that founded the colony. The House of Burgesses was comprised of elected representatives from the colony’s various plantations and settlements.
The main function of the House of Burgesses was to pass laws and establish regulations for the colony. It had the power to levy taxes, make appropriations, and regulate commerce, among other things. It also served as a forum for addressing grievances and conferring with the governor and his council.
The House of Burgesses played an important role in the development of representative government in America. It established the precedent of a legislative body elected by the people, which was later adopted by other colonies and eventually became the norm in the United States. The House of Burgesses also provided a platform for voices of dissent, particularly during times of conflict with the British government, and played an important role in the American Revolution.
Overall, the House of Burgesses was a significant institution in the early history of America and helped set the stage for the development of representative democracy in the New World.
More Answers:
Sam Adams: The Prominent Founding Father and Advocate for Democracy in American HistorySir Walter Raleigh: Explorer, Writer, and Courtier of the Elizabethan Era
Powhatan: The Skilled Politician and Leader of Tsenacommacah