LAD #1 Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The concepts included in the Mayflower Compact are that the settlers would form a civil Body Politick that would act for the good of the colony to maintain order, and enact and frame laws and acts.

2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attach to both the “Old” and “New” worlds?

The Mayflower Compact reflects and attaches to both by the colonists declaring themselves “Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James” as well as setting rules for life in the “New” world.  The colonists still identify themselves as under the rule of King James, and they also mention Great Britain, France, and Ireland, all of whom are from the “Old” world. This shows their connection to the “Old” world.  However, they claim that their rules are for the “general Good of the Colony”, which is essentially the colonists setting their own rules for themselves apart from the “Old” world.

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

The Fundamental Orders differed in that King James or even England are not mentioned anywhere. In fact, the only government mentioned is Connecticut’s. In the Mayflower Compact, King James and other European governments are mentioned several times. Also, the Mayflower Compact was essentially just stating majority rule and the government’s appeal to the common welfare, while the Fundamental Orders was a detailed set up for government.

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

The colonists were not satisfied with the pace of English reforms and wanted to form their own rules and regulations. The colonists wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut as a more permanent 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 reflect a fear of one person or a chosen few seizing control by electing a Magistrate every year by “every person present and qualified for choice”. By holding elections every year the same person cannot stay in power for long periods of time and become a dictator. The Fundamental Orders safeguard against it by holding general elections so that many people can vote instead of a select few with corrupt views.