The Province of Massachusetts Bay received a new charter to replace its previous 1629 charter, significantly altering the governance structure. Granting the charter was part of broader reforms by King William and Queen Mary following the Glorious Revolution, aiming to stabilize the colonies by curtailing authoritarian rule. The new charter allowed for an elected governor and a legislative body, enhancing self-governance while maintaining direct royal supervision. Colonists were now able to elect a General Court, which served as the legislative body, representing a leap forward in colonial autonomy. Additionally, the new charter redefined the electorate by lowering property ownership requirements for voting rights, thereby expanding political participation among the colonists. This was crucial at a time when many were pushing for greater political rights and representation.

The document reestablished the administrative framework of the colony, with Boston remaining the capital and the site of political power. While it sought to manage colonial governance effectively, it also stirred debates among colonists regarding the balance of power between the local and royal authorities. Opting for increased local representation illustrated not just a desire for more say in governance, but also reflected Enlightenment ideas about rights and governance that were gaining traction across Europe and its colonies.

The new charter faced immediate scrutiny and set the stage for ongoing tensions between colonists and British authorities. Massachusetts had a complex history of governance struggles and pushback against royal impositions, which the charter was intended to address. As the decade progressed, debates over the extent of self-rule and local governance compared to royal prerogative would shape the future of colonial administration in Massachusetts, ultimately influencing more radical movements towards independence in the coming decades.