POL 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: New York State Assembly, Direct Democracy, The Civilians
9 Aug 2018
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Document Summary
Many features of colonial politics propelled the new nation toward it"s constitution. The english policy of ignoring colonies known as salutary neglect permitted the colonies to develop their own political institutions. Colonists had a great deal of experience with representation. Plentiful land created opportunities for ordinary people. Early american by no means was an equal society, they had indentured servants: a colonial american settler contracted to work for a fixed period in exchange for food/shelter. However, by standards of time it was a land of social mobility. Some colonies began with compacts or covenants. Compacts: a mutual agreement that provides for joint action to achieve defined goals. Covenants: a compact invoking religious or moral authority. Many colonists came to practice their religion in peace. Border areas in early america were violent and insecure. Six features that propelled americans towards the constitution: distance from english authority, representation, social mobility, covenants, individual rights, violent borders.
