Which concept describes colonies' right to govern themselves due to distance from Britain?

• A. Parliamentary sovereignty
• B. Mercantilism
• C. Colonial self-government
• D. Tyranny

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that colonies could govern themselves because they were far from Britain, leading to local rule through their own assemblies and charters. Because distance made constant, direct oversight impractical, colonial governments developed bodies like Virginia’s House of Burgesses and other colonial legislatures to handle day-to-day laws and local affairs. This arrangement is known as colonial self-government, focusing on the colonies’ right and practice of ruling themselves in many matters while Britain still managed broader imperial policies.

Parliamentary sovereignty refers to Britain’s ultimate legal authority over the colonies, not their own self-rule. Mercantilism is an economic theory about increasing a mother country’s wealth through trade with colonies. Tyranny describes oppressive rule, not a justified or traditional practice of local self-rule.