Democracy in the British North American Colonies

Beginning in the early 1600's, North America experienced a flood of emigrants from England who were searching for religious freedom, an escape from political oppression, and economic opportunity. Their emigration from England was not forced upon them by the government, but offered by private groups whose chief motive was profit. The emergence of Democracy in colonial America can be attributed to the coming about of several institutions and documents filled with new and "unconventional" ideas …

…Hartford, and Wethersfiled adopted the Fundamental Orders on January 14, 1639. They formed, in the opinion of some historians, the first modern written constitution. The purpose was to limit governmental (British) powers. It was the first American constitution of government. All colonies contained elements of a complete democracy. Their experience in self-government evolved and grew. From these seeds, as Alexis de Toqueville stated, "A democracy, more perfect than any in which antiquity had dreamt of, started full-size…".