LAD #1 - Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of CT

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The main objective of the Mayflower Compact was to establish civil government to insure order and proclaim the colonists' allegiance to the king. Concepts of a divine monarchy are present since the Mayflower Compact addresses the King James as the “Sovereign Lord King James”. There also the beginnings of a written form of a republic government since the settlers want to establish a “civil body”, instead of directing all power and decision making upon one person. The Mayflower Compact also united the settlers with an objective to create order.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects a combination of both the Old and New Worlds. In the pledge of alliance to the “Sovereign Lord King James”, illustrates the ample amount of influence on the new colonists. A strong faith in God also demonstrates ideals of religion from the Old World. The colonists also make it clear that life in the New World will be different from the Old World, since they want to essentially establish a republic government with a civil body who makes decisions.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Mayflower Compact was a more formal and general contract binding the colonists to work together for the better good of the colony. The Fundamental Orders of 1639 was much more specific. The Orders were the fundamental beginnings of a checks and balances system. It only allowed certain political offices to be held for a specific amount of time. The Fundamental Orders also provided the rules of society by decreeing how warrants would be given out and how courts would be regulated.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
A written constitution restricts the ability of one person or a group to withhold power from the people without them knowing. Putting the laws onto paper provided a reference for the colonists if they felt their rights were being violated. A written constitution guaranteed individual rights and demonstrates how the government will continue to ensure these rights. It also set up a type of voting system, which allowed all free men to vote offices to positions of government.

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 was a basic form of checks and balances which protected the people against an individual or group of people from taking over, and denying one their individual “fundamental” rights. It safeguarded against a person holding office for a long period of time, restricting their ability to pass multiple laws and rules that would impede the colonists’ freedom of certain undeniable rights.