Essay Database

Democratic government in the United States had its beginnings during the colonial period. The Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses, New England Town Meetings, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Zenger trial each was an important step in the development of our democracy. For example, The Mayflower Compact was an agreement among the Pilgrims of Plymouth, to establish a body and to obey the rules of the governors they chose. The House of Burgesses was the …

…and lawmakers. In examining the Zenger trial, one can begin to understand how the first amendment rights, specifically freedom of the press, emerged as an important democratic principle. Each of these events had proven effective in being an important step in the development of democracy. After persistency and new ideas, through the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, democracy has been permanent in the United States since early colonization up through modern times.