What was the House of Burgesses and what was its significance in colonial Virginia?

The House of Burgesses was the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly from 1619 to 1776, serving as a representative legislative body within the Colony of Virginia in British America. It was a crucial component of Virginian politics, functioning alongside the Crown-appointed colonial governor and the Virginia Governor's Council (the upper house).

When did the House of Burgesses officially cease to exist, and what did it become?

The House of Burgesses ceased to exist in 1776 when Virginia declared its independence from Great Britain. It was transformed into the House of Delegates, which continues to serve as the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly today.

What does the term 'burgess' originally refer to?

The term 'burgess' originally denoted a freeman of a borough, which was a self-governing town or settlement in England.

Who founded the Colony of Virginia, and what was its initial purpose?

The Colony of Virginia was founded by the Virginia Company, a joint-stock company operating as a private venture under a royal charter. Its primary goal was to establish a profitable settlement in the New World.

What were some of the major challenges that the early Colony of Virginia faced?

The early colony struggled with severe crises, including famine, disease, raids by Native Americans, the difficulty of establishing profitable cash crops, and a lack of skilled or committed labor. These challenges necessitated strong leadership and efforts to attract more settlers.

What were the 'great charter' instructions, and how did they influence the governance of Virginia?

Issued in November 1618 by the Virginia Company's leaders to Governor Sir George Yeardley, the 'great charter' instructions aimed to encourage settlers by granting them land ownership (fifty acres for those who paid their own way) and establishing civil authority over military matters. Crucially, these instructions led to the initiation of elections for burgesses, giving settlers a limited voice in their own affairs.

How was the first General Assembly of Virginia structured in 1619?

The first General Assembly was a unicameral body composed of 22 locally elected representatives (burgesses) from the settlements and Jamestown, along with the royally appointed Governor and a six-member Council of State. The governor retained the power to veto the Assembly's actions.

What was the significance of the 1619 craftsmen strike by Polish workers?

A group of Polish craftsmen, brought to the colony for their skills in producing pitch, tar, and potash, were initially denied political rights. They went on strike in protest but returned to work after being granted freedom and enfranchisement, seemingly through an agreement with the Virginia Company, highlighting early struggles for rights among diverse groups.

When and where did the first session of the Virginia General Assembly take place?

The first session of the Virginia General Assembly convened on July 30, 1619, for a six-day meeting at the new timber church on Jamestown Island, Virginia.

Why was the first session of the Virginia General Assembly cut short?

The first session, which began on July 30, 1619, was cut short after only five days due to an outbreak of malaria among the attendees.

Which two burgesses were excluded from the first assembly and why?

John Martin and Robert Stacy, the burgesses from Martin's Brandon, were excluded because John Martin refused to relinquish a clause in his land patent that exempted his borough from the colony's commands, except for aiding in defense against enemies. This indicated a desire for greater autonomy even in the early stages.

How did the 1622 Native American massacre and subsequent epidemics impact the colony's governance?

Following the massacre of nearly 400 colonists on March 22, 1622, and severe epidemics, the governor and council ruled arbitrarily and showed contempt for the assembly, suppressing dissent. This period of harsh governance led to increased scrutiny from England.

What was the consequence of the Virginia Company's charter revocation in 1624?

In 1624, the Virginia Company's charter was revoked by the English Crown, and Virginia became a crown colony. Consequently, the governor and council were appointed directly by the Crown, although the General Assembly continued to manage local affairs.

When did Virginia implement a bicameral legislature, and what were its two houses?

In 1642, Governor William Berkeley urged the creation of a bicameral legislature. This resulted in the formation of the House of Burgesses meeting separately from the Council of State, establishing the structure of two legislative houses.

What were the voting qualifications in Virginia by 1670?

By 1670, only property-owning, free, white men were allowed to vote in Virginia. Women were explicitly excluded from voting, and the right to vote had been restricted from the original broader enfranchisement.

How did the English Civil War and the subsequent Restoration affect Virginia's governance?

In 1652, parliamentary forces brought Virginia under English government control, but the colonists retained the General Assembly. Following the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660, some colonial liberties were restricted, such as trade regulations favoring England, though the General Assembly persisted.

What was the significance of the 1676 General Assembly regarding Nathaniel Bacon?

A majority of the members in the 1676 General Assembly supported Nathaniel Bacon. They enacted legislation aimed at promoting popular sovereignty, representative government, and equal opportunities, although Bacon himself was primarily occupied with fighting Native Americans.

When did the capital of Virginia move from Jamestown, and to where?

The statehouse in Jamestown burned down for the fourth time in 1698. The capital was then moved inland to Middle Plantation in 1699, a location that was renamed Williamsburg.

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act and the Currency Act passed by Parliament in 1764?

The Sugar Act of 1764 was designed to raise revenue for the Crown by increasing duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies. The Currency Act, passed the same year, prohibited the American colonies from issuing their own currency, which aimed to standardize economic practices but restricted colonial financial autonomy.

How did the Stamp Act of 1765 provoke colonial opposition?

The Stamp Act of 1765 required colonists to pay a tax on various paper goods, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. This direct taxation by Parliament, without colonial representation, led to widespread organized protests, intimidation of tax collectors, and boycotts of British goods.

What were the Virginia Resolves, and who presented them?

Presented by Patrick Henry in May 1765, the Virginia Resolves were a series of resolutions that denounced the Stamp Act and asserted that the British Parliament had no authority to tax the colonies, as they lacked representation. These resolves fueled colonial arguments against taxation without representation.

What actions did the Virginia House of Burgesses take in 1769 regarding British policies?

In 1769, following the Massachusetts Circular Letter, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed resolutions condemning the stationing of British troops in Boston and asserting that only Virginia's governor and legislature could tax its citizens. They also drafted a formal letter to the King, which was completed just before the royal governor dissolved the assembly.

How did the House of Burgesses react to the Boston Port Act in 1774?

In response to the Boston Port Act, which closed Boston Harbor, the House of Burgesses adopted resolutions supporting the Boston colonists. This action led Virginia's royal governor, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, to dissolve the assembly.

What were the Virginia Conventions, and what role did they play in the move toward independence?

After the House of Burgesses was dissolved by the governor in 1774, its members reassembled independently to form the Virginia Conventions. These conventions essentially acted as the House of Burgesses without the governor and Council, electing delegates to the Continental Congress and guiding Virginia's path toward independence.

What was Lord North's Conciliatory Resolution, and how did the Virginia Assembly respond?

Lord North's Conciliatory Resolution was a proposal from the British Prime Minister aimed at de-escalating tensions, though it was sent individually to colonies rather than through the Continental Congress. In June 1775, the Virginia House of Burgesses, with Speaker Peyton Randolph presiding, rejected the resolution, a stance later echoed by the Continental Congress.

What happened to the House of Burgesses in 1776?

In 1776, the House of Burgesses officially ended. The members of the fifth Virginia Revolutionary Convention met and voted for independence, transforming the colony into the Commonwealth of Virginia and establishing a new General Assembly with an elected Senate and House of Delegates, the latter succeeding the role of the Burgesses.

Where did the House of Burgesses hold its meetings throughout its history?

The House of Burgesses initially met in the church in Jamestown. Later, from 1700 to 1704, they met in the Great Hall of the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary while the first Capitol was under construction. After the Capitol burned down, they returned to the college until the second Capitol was completed in 1754. They met in the Capitol building in Williamsburg until the capital moved to Richmond in 1779/1780.

What is the historical significance of the Virginia House of Delegates?

The Virginia House of Delegates, which succeeded the House of Burgesses in 1776, is considered the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World, reflecting a long tradition of representative government in Virginia.

How does the Virginia General Assembly honor the legacy of the House of Burgesses?

To honor the original House of Burgesses, the Virginia General Assembly traditionally leaves its current Capitol in Richmond and meets for one day every four years in the restored Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg. This tradition maintains a connection to the historical roots of Virginia's legislature.

What commemorative events have marked significant anniversaries of the House of Burgesses?

In January 2007, the Assembly held a special session at Jamestown to mark the 400th anniversary of its founding. In January 2019, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the House of Burgesses, a new searchable database of House members called 'DOME' was launched, chronicling over four centuries of service.

What was the role of the Virginia Governor's Council in relation to the House of Burgesses?

The Virginia Governor's Council served as the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly, alongside the House of Burgesses, which was the lower house. The Council was appointed by the Crown and provided advice to the governor, who also held veto power over the House of Burgesses' actions.

What was the 'Starving Time' in early Jamestown?

The 'Starving Time' refers to the harsh winter of 1609-1610 in Jamestown, during which the colony faced extreme famine due to a lack of supplies and ongoing conflicts with Native Americans. This period led to a drastic reduction in the colony's population.

What was the purpose of the Virginia Company's 'Instructions to George Yeardley' in 1618?

The 'Instructions to George Yeardley,' also known as 'The Great Charter,' were issued in 1618 to encourage settlers to come to Virginia. They established provisions for land ownership for those who paid their own passage and mandated that civil authority would control the military, laying the groundwork for representative government.

How did the shift from the Virginia Company to a Crown Colony affect the House of Burgesses?

When Virginia became a Crown Colony in 1624 after the Virginia Company's charter was revoked, the governor and council were appointed by the Crown. However, the House of Burgesses continued to function, managing local affairs with informal royal assent, demonstrating its resilience and importance to the colonists.

What was the significance of the 1619 legislative session in the context of American democracy?

The 1619 session of the Virginia General Assembly, which included the House of Burgesses, is significant as it marked the first representative legislature in the Americas. This event laid an early foundation for democratic governance in the English colonies.

What was the 'well-made play' concept in 19th-century theatre, and how did it relate to the House of Burgesses?

The provided text does not mention 'well-made plays' or 19th-century theatrical movements. Therefore, no answer can be generated regarding this topic based on the source material.

What role did Patrick Henry play in the events leading up to the American Revolution, as mentioned in the text?

Patrick Henry played a significant role in the growing colonial resistance. In 1765, he presented the Virginia Resolves, which challenged Parliament's authority to tax the colonies. Later, in 1775, he delivered his famous 'give me liberty or give me death!' speech to the burgesses meeting in convention.

House Of Burgesses Wiki: The Crucible of Governance: Virginia's House of Burgesses

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Origins and Foundation

The Genesis of Representation

The House of Burgesses, established in 1619, served as the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly until 1776. It represented a significant step in colonial governance, functioning alongside the Crown-appointed Governor and the Virginia Governor's Council (the upper house). The term "burgess" itself historically referred to a freeman of a self-governing English borough, signifying a connection to established traditions of representation.

Virginia Company's Mandate

The establishment of the House of Burgesses was a strategic initiative by the Virginia Company, the joint-stock company chartered by the Crown to found the Colony of Virginia. Recognizing the need to attract settlers and foster stability, the Company issued instructions in 1618 to Governor Sir George Yeardley. These instructions, often termed "the great charter," aimed to encourage immigration by granting settlers fifty acres of land and establishing civil authority over military control. This paved the way for the first representative assembly.

Early Inclusivity and Conflict

The initial assembly in 1619 included 22 locally elected burgesses, alongside the Governor and Council, forming a unicameral body. Notably, a group of Polish craftsmen, brought to the colony for their skills, were initially denied political rights. Their subsequent protest and return to work after being granted freedom and enfranchisement highlighted early struggles for political inclusion.

Evolution Through Time

From Company Rule to Crown Colony

Following the devastating Indian massacre of 1622 and subsequent crises, the Virginia Company's charter was revoked in 1624, transforming Virginia into a Crown colony. While the Governor and Council were now appointed by the Crown, the House of Burgesses persisted, managing local affairs with informal royal assent, later confirmed in 1639. This period saw the formalization of bicameralism in 1642, with the Burgesses meeting separately from the Council.

Shifting Power Dynamics

Throughout the 17th century, the composition and powers of the House of Burgesses evolved. Voting rights, initially extended to free and white men, were restricted to property owners by 1670. The assembly played a role during periods of political upheaval, such as the submission to Oliver Cromwell's forces in 1652 and the subsequent Restoration of Charles II, which brought new trade restrictions. During Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, a majority of Burgesses supported reforms aimed at enhancing popular sovereignty.

Towards Independence

As tensions with Great Britain escalated in the mid-18th century, driven by acts like the Stamp Act of 1765, the House of Burgesses became a focal point of colonial resistance. Figures like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were active members, articulating grievances against taxation without representation. The assembly's resolutions and actions, including support for Boston during the Intolerable Acts, led to its dissolution by the royal governor multiple times. These conventions ultimately paved the way for Virginia's declaration of independence in 1776.

Legislative Framework

Bicameral System

From 1642 onwards, the Virginia General Assembly operated as a bicameral legislature. The House of Burgesses constituted the lower house, composed of elected representatives from the colony's settlements and counties. It functioned in parallel with the Virginia Governor's Council, which served as the upper house, appointed by the Crown. This structure provided a balance of elected representation and royal authority.

Representation and Suffrage

The Burgesses were elected by the populace, a foundational element of representative government in the colony. Initially, suffrage was broadly granted to free and white men. However, by 1670, voting rights were restricted to property owners, reflecting evolving colonial policies and social structures. Women were excluded from the electoral process throughout this period.

Key Functions

The House of Burgesses played a crucial role in colonial administration. It debated and passed laws, levied taxes, and represented the interests of the colonists to the colonial government and, at times, to the British Crown. Its actions, particularly in response to British policies in the 1760s and 1770s, were instrumental in shaping the path toward the American Revolution.

Landmark Legislation & Actions

Responding to Imperial Policies

The House of Burgesses actively responded to British parliamentary actions that impacted the colonies. Following the French and Indian War, measures like the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765) were met with significant opposition. In 1765, Patrick Henry introduced the Virginia Resolves, asserting that only Virginia's legislature could tax its citizens, a direct challenge to the principle of "no taxation without representation."

Voices of Dissent

Thomas Jefferson served as a delegate in the House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1775, advocating for reforms. In 1769, the Burgesses passed resolutions supporting the colonists in Boston and asserting Virginia's autonomy in taxation. Repeated dissolutions of the assembly by the royal governor only fueled further organization, leading to the convening of Virginia Conventions, which effectively continued the legislative functions of the House of Burgesses.

The Path to Revolution

In the lead-up to the American Revolution, the House of Burgesses, through its convention meetings, played a pivotal role. In 1775, it heard Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech and began raising military regiments. The rejection of Lord North's Conciliatory Resolution in 1775 signaled a definitive break. By May 1776, the House of Burgesses formally ceased to exist, transitioning into the newly formed Commonwealth of Virginia's government.

Sites of Governance

Jamestown Beginnings

The very first session of the Virginia General Assembly, including the House of Burgesses, convened on July 30, 1619. This historic meeting took place in the new timber church on Jamestown Island. Subsequent sessions continued to be held in Jamestown for several decades, establishing the settlement as the initial seat of colonial government.

Williamsburg Era

In 1700, the seat of government was relocated from Jamestown to Middle Plantation, which was subsequently renamed Williamsburg. The House of Burgesses initially met in the Great Hall of the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary while the first Capitol building was under construction. After the first Capitol burned down in 1747, the legislature reconvened at the college until the second Capitol was completed in 1754.

Richmond's Strategic Move

During the American Revolutionary War, for strategic reasons of safety, the capital was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond in 1779, taking effect in April 1780. This move occurred as the former colony transitioned into the independent Commonwealth of Virginia, with the House of Burgesses evolving into the House of Delegates.

Enduring Legacy

Oldest Continuous Legislature

Upon Virginia's declaration of independence in 1776, the House of Burgesses was transformed into the House of Delegates. This body continues to serve as the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly today. Through this lineage, the Virginia General Assembly is recognized as the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World, a testament to its foundational role in American governance.

Commemorative Traditions

In honor of its historical significance, the Virginia General Assembly traditionally convenes for a single day every four years in the restored Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg. These commemorative sessions serve to connect modern governance with its colonial roots. Notable recent sessions include the 400th-anniversary commemoration at Jamestown in 2007 and a session in Williamsburg in 2016.

Documenting Service

To mark the 400th anniversary of the House of Burgesses in 2019, the Virginia House of Representatives Clerk's Office launched the "DOME" database. This initiative chronicles the service of over 9,700 men and women who have served as burgesses or delegates in the Virginia General Assembly across four centuries, providing a valuable resource for understanding the institution's long history.

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The Crucible of Governance

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Origins and Foundation 🏛️

📜 The Genesis of Representation

✉️ Virginia Company's Mandate

🤝 Early Inclusivity and Conflict

Evolution Through Time ⏳

👑 From Company Rule to Crown Colony

⚖️ Shifting Power Dynamics

🔥 Towards Independence

Legislative Framework ⚖️

🏛️ Bicameral System

🗳️ Representation and Suffrage

🔑 Key Functions

Landmark Legislation & Actions ✍️

🇬🇧 Responding to Imperial Policies

🗣️ Voices of Dissent

🇺🇸 The Path to Revolution

Sites of Governance 📍

⛪ Jamestown Beginnings

🎓 Williamsburg Era

🏞️ Richmond's Strategic Move

Enduring Legacy 🌟

🇺🇸 Oldest Continuous Legislature

🗓️ Commemorative Traditions

📚 Documenting Service

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Origins and Foundation

The Genesis of Representation

Virginia Company's Mandate

Early Inclusivity and Conflict

Evolution Through Time

From Company Rule to Crown Colony

Shifting Power Dynamics

Towards Independence

Legislative Framework

Bicameral System

Representation and Suffrage

Key Functions

Landmark Legislation & Actions

Responding to Imperial Policies

Voices of Dissent

The Path to Revolution

Sites of Governance

Jamestown Beginnings

Williamsburg Era

Richmond's Strategic Move

Enduring Legacy

Oldest Continuous Legislature

Commemorative Traditions

Documenting Service

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice