{"id":10677,"date":"2017-10-03t10:00:34","date_gmt":"2017-10-03t17:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/?p=10677"},"modified":"2017-10-02t14:07:06","modified_gmt":"2017-10-02t21:07:06","slug":"house-of-burgesses-apush-topics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/ap\/house-of-burgesses-apush-topics\/","title":{"rendered":"the house of burgesses: apush topics to study for test day"},"content":{"rendered":"

the house of burgesses was the first elected legislative assembly in the colonies. it was part of the governing body of virginia, consisting of 2 elected representatives from each county. to be successful on house of burgesses apush questions, you should have a thorough understanding of the assembly\u2019s role in early colonial government, as well as its lasting effect on american democracy.<\/p>\n

\"chamber
photo of the chamber of the house of burgesses by frances benjamin johnston<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

what is the house of burgesses?<\/h2>\n

in order to attract responsible, upstanding settlers to its colony, the virginia company drew up the great charter in 1618. the great charter established a reliable government led by a crown-appointed governor and advisory council, as well as a democratically-elected general assembly. this assembly was called the house of burgesses. the house of burgesses established laws and taxation, initially meeting with the governor and council in a unicameral legislature, but eventually meeting separately as part of a bicameral system.<\/p>\n

the house of burgesses enjoyed various levels of power throughout its history, surviving multiple attempts by the crown to limit its power or even outright dissolve the assembly. leading up to the revolutionary war, the house of burgesses defended the interests of colonists in the face of england\u2019s ever-increasing regulations, including challenging the stamp act and the closure of boston harbor. in 1774 john murray, the royal governor of virginia, dissolved the house of burgesses, but the assembly continued to meet without the governor and council until 1776, when virginia declared independence from the throne and created a new general assembly called the house of delegates.<\/p>\n

important years to note for the house of burgesses: <\/h2>\n