LAD/BLOG #1: Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of CT

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact was written to establish the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia. It called for a civil and an organized form of self-government which could enact laws and acts for the good of the colony.


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

The Mayflower Compact reflects both the "Old" and "New" worlds, because the idea of a self-government grew from the knowledge of the Old world and the catastrophes that can happen when power is not distributed evenly. It also relates to the Old world when it states that there is loyalty to the king. However, this new structure of self-government demonstrates the hope of equality and unity that many colonists had when coming to the New world.


3. How did the fundamental orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Fundamental Orders or Connecticut differs from the Mayflower Compact because rather than a general statement of establishing a new colony and being able to enact laws, the Fundamental Orders gives a specific list of laws, including laws about elections and positions in government.

4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, ie: use of a written constitution?

The colonists of Connecticut wanted to write a constitution and form a government that was more self-dependent, because this allowed for the newly established colony to gain more influence in the New world. In addition to this, the colonists wanted a set of rules that would prevent a catastrophic system of government that would only end in an uneven balance of power or a collapse of the government.


5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the uprising of power by one person or a chosen few?

The Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of an uneven balance of power, because it states that "it shall be lawful for each of the Towns aforesaid by their deputies to nominate any two whom they conceive fit to be put into election." By having several different positions in government (Governor, Secretary, etc.), and the ability of the people to elect certain officials, the Fundamental Orders prevents any one person from obtaining an overwhelming amount of power over others.