Colonial America

Thomas Crawford

Property, service & representation

Role-play summaryAs a militia member called to fight in King George’s War, I risk my safety for the colony. I would argue that those expected to serve and sacrifice deserve representation in the government.

What forces are at play?

Colonial voting was generally far narrower than modern voting. Rules differed from colony to colony, but property ownership, taxpaying status, religion, race, and sex could all determine who had a political voice. A man might be expected to serve in the militia or support the colony financially while still failing to meet the property threshold for voting.

How can this shape elections?

That mismatch creates a powerful role-play question: what obligations should come with political representation? Property qualifications were defended as a way to give the vote to people thought to have an independent stake in society. Critics could point out that such rules let wealth determine political voice and exclude people who still bore the costs of government decisions.

Carry these questions into the activity

What rule, barrier, or source of power matters most from this person’s point of view?
Who gains political voice — and who loses it — because of the way the election system works here?