LAD #1

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

• the people who signed it agreed to work together and to follow the laws/regualtions set by the government
• beginnings of a democratic government in the colonies
• government would conserve the "good" of the colonies
• government gets it's power from the consent of the people

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

• Old World
• loyal to Sovereign King James of Great Britain
• highly respected England
• some government ideals based on 'Old World' British laws
• New World
• separate-bodied society
• wanted fair government, laws determined by people (democratic)
• wanted to create a new society (but still loyal to the British people)

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

• Fundamental Orders were more specific
• permanent form of government
• set up structure and distribution of power
• 'Official' document to set up an 'official' government
• didn't mention the British crown

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

• need of stronger government
• want of permanent and unified government
• word of god, wanted to create an orderly government under god

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?

• laws showed that governmental positions were based on popular sovereignty
• yearly votes, limited Magistrates to one year
• set up on a democratic basis
• not allowed for one person or a small group of people to seize power

Mayflower Compact Signing

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut