LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

It is apparent that religion is one of the most important parts of life for the people of the Mayflower. They are coming to the New World by "the grace of God" and are of devout "Christian Faith." It makes sense that they included religion in the Mayflower Compact because the main reason for the voyage was to escape religious persecution. The colonists also stated they would join in a "civil body politick." They agreed to live under "equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and officers." They wanted to create a governing system that would benefit everyone in the colony.

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

 The Mayflower Compact reflects ideas of the Old World by referring to King James and by stating that their voyage was taken "in honour of [their] king and country." They still viewed themselves as Englishmen--not Americans.
Although the Compact has connections with the Old World, it has many new ideas. They speak of "combin[ing] themselves into a civil body politick." Now that they are in the New World, they have the ability to govern themselves because there is no monarch. They can choose their own officials and live under constitutions that they wrote for themselves. This is a new freedom to the colonists coming from Europe.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are much more elaborate than the Mayflower Compact was. The Mayflower Compact simply states that they will no longer be living under a monarch's rule while the Fundamental Orders outline the specifics of electing a governor (how voting works, how often to vote, requirements of governors, etc.)

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

The colonists of Connecticut took this approach because they had finally escaped (for the most part) the binding control of King James back in England. They took advantage of their new freedom and outlined how their new system of government will work in the New World.

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?

It is apparent that the colonists of Connecticut are afraid that a strong leader will emerge and take control of the colony. Afraid of having a monarch-like leader, the colonists made sure to set regulations to rid all fear. First of all, the colonists were to be the ones to elect their governor using "one single paper with the name of him written on it whom he desires to have governor." The Fundamental Orders also stated that elections would be held frequently so that one person would not be in power for too long.