LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

  

The Mayflower Compact

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The concepts included are the formation of their own government, and making and passing their own laws.

2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

It reflects attachments to the Old World by stating the writers were loyal subjects of the king as well as making the colony in honor of the king and their country. It reflects attachments to the New World as well, by demonstrating a more democratic form of government and by making laws themselves in order to govern.

3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were much more thorough in establishing the rules and laws of the society, and were more detailed in making sure that the government would work for a long time. The Mayflower Compact was more vague and temporary so it didn't give a solid definition of what its government should be like.


4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?


The colonists wanted to make sure that this government would be able to last a long time without sacrificing the democratic ideals of it as the years went on. They also wanted to make a government that would be strong and effective enough to govern the three towns that were joining together.


5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?
The governor, constables, magistrates, and other officials are all voted into their position by the people, and certain measures are taken to prevent corruption within the government- for example, is the governor or magistrates fail to call necessary courts, the freemen can petition and carry out the duty of the court themselves if they are ignored, preventing the governor or magistrates from trying to take complete control of the government. The colonists write out rules that make sure it's impossible to be in charge of the colony without the consent of the general population.