LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

A reproduction of the Mayflower Compact, and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact includes the basic ideas of a democracy, the idea of a political body and that people can govern themselves. It states that the "Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices" are for the "general Good of the Colony". This is part of the idea that the power of a government comes from the people themselves, and not from God or King James in this case. The Mayflower Compact also makes reference multiple times to the Christian Faith ("Glory of God", "Advancement of Christian Faith", "in the presence of God") showing how these people were devout Christians.

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

The Mayflower Compact reflects the attachment to the Old World because the signers refer to themselves as "loyal subjects" that have undertaken a voyage for the "Honour of King and Country". Even though they are in the New World they see themselves as subjects of King James. The Mayflower Compact reflects the attachment to the New World by the "civil body Politick": a commitment to democracy, not absolutism.

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

The Mayflower Compact is a general agreement, a general promise. It doesn't say specifically how the government would run, and it wasn't meant to be used as a constitution. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut describes in detail the workings of a government. The Fundamental Orders is closer to the current US Constitution because it gives exact instructions for a government where the Mayflower Compact is only a promise of a future government.

What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach (a written constitution) to government? 

This was the time of Absolutism and Divine Right Monarchy in Europe, governments that were run without a constitution. Without a written constitution, it was easier for one person to take control, and the colonists didn't want that. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut followed the model of previous colonial charters, specifically the Massachusetts charter.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut provides for a General Court and an election of a Governor by a body of voters. The General Court has all legislative, executive, judiciary and administrative powers. It orders "no person be chosen Governor above once in two years" (4th Order). This makes sure that no one person can have control of the government for an extended period of time. "None of these courts shall be adjourned or dissolved without the consent of the major part of the court" (10th Order). This is reminiscent of the Stuart Kings who would dissolve Parliament if they didn't get what they wanted. This order, in combination with the others, makes sure that no one person can have too much power.

photos-

http://www.indianamayflower.com/uploads/documents/Mayflower%20Compact%20Reproduction.pdf

http://connecticuthistory.org/the-fundamental-orders-of-connecticut/