During what period did limited democracy begin to take shape in colonial America?

Limited democracy began to take shape during the Colonial Period as the British colonies in America developed their own government structures and ways of governing. This era is characterized by the establishment of representative assemblies and an increase in political participation among certain groups, such as property-owning white men. Colonial governments often featured elected legislative bodies, which allowed for some degree of self-governance, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of individual rights and social contracts.

The growth of ideas about democracy was influenced by various factors during this time, including the spread of Enlightenment thought, which encouraged discussions about liberty, governance, and the rights of individuals. However, it was during the Colonial Period that these concepts began to manifest more concretely in the political structures of the colonies.

The other options focus on different periods that either preceded or followed this significant development. The Renaissance primarily affected European cultural and intellectual life rather than the colonial political structure. The Enlightenment laid the groundwork of ideas but did not correspond to the establishment of democratic practices in the colonies. Similarly, while the Post-Revolutionary War period marked a significant expansion in democratic principles and practices, it came after the initial establishment of limited democratic frameworks in the colonial governments.