The Charters of the Virginia Company of London

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The Charters of the Virginia Company of London and the Establishment of a Government

The Charters of the Virginia Company of London and the Establishment of a Government in Virginia

The Charters of the Virginia Company of London • The King of England had

The Charters of the Virginia Company of London • The King of England had the power to grant charters allowing settlement in North America. • charter – a document issued by a government authority.

The Importance of the Virginia Charters • The King of England granted charters to

The Importance of the Virginia Charters • The King of England granted charters to the Virginia Company of London to: - Establish a settlement in North America. - Extend English rights to the settlers. *Very important!

English Law Rules! • The Virginia colony, even though it was far away from

English Law Rules! • The Virginia colony, even though it was far away from its parent country, had to obey English law!

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • As Jamestown grew, the system of government evolved.

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • As Jamestown grew, the system of government evolved. • In 1619, the governor of Virginia called a meeting of the Virginia General Assembly.

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • The General Assembly included two citizen representatives called

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • The General Assembly included two citizen representatives called “burgesses, ” from each division of Virginia, the governor’s council, and the governor.

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • They met as one legislative body. • At

Virginia Establishes Its Own Government • They met as one legislative body. • At this time, only certain free adult men had a right to take part.

Virginia House of Burgesses • By the 1640’s, the burgesses became a separate legislative

Virginia House of Burgesses • By the 1640’s, the burgesses became a separate legislative body, called the Virginia House of Burgesses. • They met separately from the Governor’s Council as one of the two legislative bodies of the General Assembly.

Virginia House of Burgesses • The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected

Virginia House of Burgesses • The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected legislative body in English America giving settlers the opportunity to control their own government. • The current Virginia General Assembly dates from the establishment of the House of Burgesses at Jamestown in 1619.