LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact includes the concepts of colonization with respect to the concept of fealty to the king. In addition, religion is appealed to several times. It also mentions government and the idea of ruling a colony, which was the major purpose of the document.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
There are several references to King James, who was the king of England at the time and sponsored the voyage. However, the document mentions plans for a different type of government or constitution that doesn't quite reflect that of the old world. The document is about the creation of the main political body in their colony.

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

The Mayflower Compact refers only to the colonists from the Mayflower governing themselves, but the Fundamental Orders are more about a political body ruling over a larger group of people. This is because there were many more people in the colonies when the Fundamental Orders were written. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were also significantly more detailed and organized than the Mayflower Compact because the size of the colony they were ruling required it. Courts of law were also included in the Fundamental Orders and not mentioned in the Mayflower Compact.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut have very specific outlines for a system of governments and courts that would be very helpful to colonists as the population of the colonies grew. The constitution also favored democracy, which would grow to be valued in the colonies. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were written to create a solid governing body while preserving the freedom and democracy that early Americans valued.

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 Fundamental Orders put a limit on the amount of time a single person can hold a particular office. In some cases, this was only one year. A democratic method of voting was another way the colonists of Connecticut ensured a balance of power. It reflects fear of a single person taking too much power by ensuring a democratic system.