Explanatory Charter facts for kids
The Explanatory Charter was an important document for the Province of Massachusetts Bay in America. It was like an update to an older rulebook, called the royal charter, that King George I sent on August 26, 1725. This new charter helped explain and change some parts of the original charter, which had been given by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1691. That's why it was called "explanatory"—it explained things better!
Contents
Why the Explanatory Charter Was Needed
This new charter came about because of arguments in Massachusetts. There were disagreements between the Massachusetts General Court and the royal governor. The General Court was an elected group that spoke for the people. The governor, Samuel Shute, was chosen by the King.
Governor Shute's Disagreements
Governor Shute and the General Court often disagreed. In 1720, the General Court chose a speaker, who leads their meetings. Governor Shute said he had the power to reject their choice. When they would not pick someone else, he closed down the legislature.
Another time, in 1721, the legislature voted to take a week off. Governor Shute was very upset. He said they could not do that without his permission. He believed he controlled when they met.
Asking the King for Help
Because of these problems, Governor Shute complained to King George I. He spoke to the King's special advisors, called the Privy Council. The King and his advisors then decided to create the Explanatory Charter in 1725. They hoped it would solve these arguments.
What the Explanatory Charter Changed
The Explanatory Charter made some key changes to the old rulebook. It gave the governor new powers.
New Powers for the Governor
The charter said the governor could now stop the Massachusetts House of Representatives from meeting. This was a big change.
Rules for the House of Representatives
The charter also made it clear that the House of Representatives could choose its own speaker. However, the governor still had to approve their choice. It also said that the House could only take a break for two days at a time. They could not just decide to adjourn for longer periods.
Later Changes to Massachusetts Rules
Over the years, there were more attempts to change Massachusetts's rules. These changes often led to more tension.
Changes in 1766
In 1766, more changes were planned for the Massachusetts charter. These changes would have taken away the power of the legislature to choose council members and judges. The governor would have chosen sheriffs. Sheriffs would have chosen juries. Also, town meetings, where citizens gathered, would have been mostly stopped. They would only be allowed for elections or with the governor's special permission.
The Intolerable Acts
After the 1773 Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament passed new laws. These laws were meant to punish Massachusetts. They were called the Intolerable Acts. One of these acts, the Massachusetts Government Act, basically ended the old charter. It gave the King's governor much more power.
Massachusetts Takes Control
In 1774, General Thomas Gage became the royal governor. He put the Massachusetts Government Act into action. He dissolved the provincial legislature. But the members of the legislature met anyway. They formed the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. This group then governed most of Massachusetts. They ruled from 1774 until Massachusetts created its own constitution in 1780.
