How Laws Were Made in the Southern Colonies

The Southern Colonies were a group of thirteen British colonies in North America that existed from the 17th to the 18th centuries. These colonies included Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

The Southern Colonies had a variety of legal systems, but they all shared some common features. For example, all of the colonies had laws that were based on English common law. Common law is a body of law that is based on the decisions of judges in previous cases.

Royal Charters

One of the most important sources of law in the Southern Colonies was royal charters. Royal charters were documents that were issued by the British Crown. These charters granted the colonies certain rights and privileges. They also established the basic structure of the colonial governments.

The first royal charter was granted to the Virginia Company in 1606. This charter established the colony of Virginia. The Virginia Company was a private company that was responsible for governing the colony. The company had the power to make laws for the colony. However, these laws had to be approved by the British Crown.

Other Southern Colonies were also established by royal charters. These charters gave the colonies a variety of powers. For example, the charter of the Maryland Colony gave the colony the power to make laws and to establish a judicial system.

Legislative Assemblies

In addition to royal charters, the Southern Colonies also had legislative assemblies. These assemblies were made up of elected representatives from the colonies. The assemblies had the power to make laws for the colonies. However, these laws had to be approved by the British Crown.

The first legislative assembly in the Southern Colonies was established in Virginia in 1619. This assembly was called the House of Burgesses. The House of Burgesses was made up of 22 elected representatives from the colony. The assembly had the power to make laws for the colony. However, these laws had to be approved by the British Crown.

Other Southern Colonies also established legislative assemblies. These assemblies gave the colonies a voice in their own government. They also helped to protect the colonies from the arbitrary rule of the British Crown.

Common Law

In addition to royal charters and legislative assemblies, the Southern Colonies also had a common law system. Common law is a body of law that is based on the decisions of judges in previous cases.

The common law was introduced to the Southern Colonies by the British colonists. The colonists brought with them their own legal traditions. These traditions were based on the common law of England.

The common law played an important role in the Southern Colonies. It provided a framework for resolving disputes and for protecting the rights of individuals.

Conclusion

The Southern Colonies had a variety of legal systems. These systems were based on a combination of royal charters, legislative assemblies, and common law. These systems helped to protect the rights of individuals and to ensure the orderly functioning of the colonies.

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