executive branch to see that the laws were enforced, and a judicial
branch for the interpretation of the laws. This separation of
functions was more definite in America than in England because the
jealousy existing between colonial legislature and colonial executive
tended sharply to separate their powers. In America, too, the
judiciary was more clearly an independent branch of government than in
England.

20. THE COLONIES AS SELF-GOVERNING STATES.--It has often been said
that for a considerable period prior to the American Revolution, the
thirteen colonies were in reality self-governing states. For most
practical purposes they were independent, indeed, some American
patriots insisted that they were only nominally subject to England. In
each colony there was an assembly chosen by a restricted number of
voters. This popular assembly championed the cause of the colonists
against the governor, who in most of the colonies was primarily an
agent of the Crown. After the middle of the eighteenth century, the
struggles between assembly and governor increased in number and in
intensity, and victory rested more and more often with the assembly.
[Footnote: For the similarities existing among the various colonial
governments see Chapter XXXIX.]

21. EFFECT OF THE REVOLUTION UPON AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS.--The
Revolution did not greatly affect the character of American
governments. Democracy, at first weak and ill diffused, had been
spreading steadily during the preceding century, and when at last the
break with England came, it found the states trained in self-
government and able to conduct their own affairs. In many cases the
Revolution simply erased the name of the king from documents and
institutions already American in spirit and character. The states