Blog #1: Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Blog #1: Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of Connecticut










1.) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
  The Mayflower Compact lays simple groundwork for a frame of government in the new colony in northern Virginia. The document suggests that there must be the creation of a political body to better ensure the preservation of the colony and to make sure there is order among the people as well, so the colony can thrive and accomplish what they set out to do. Not only must laws be created, but these laws must be fair and just, to enrich the societal aspect of the colony to keep the people prosperous. Lastly, The Mayflower Compact includes that these laws must be followed by the colonists with the utmost respect and obedience and with these concepts working in tandem the colony will succeed for God, the Christian faith, and the King.

2.) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact demonstrates an attachment to the "Old" world because the Compact talks about pursuing forward and creating this new colony all in the name of King James, Christianity and God. The reasoning for their voyage ties back to the old world in Europe, especially England with the Monarchy of King James and mercantilism driving exploration of the "New" world. The document also reflects an attachment to the "New" world because the Compact suggests ways of governing the colony such as the body politick and fair, just laws to govern by which steers away from putting the power all in the hands of one person.

3.) How did the Fundamental Order of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
 The Fundamental Orders were much more specific and detailed than the Mayflower Compact, designing the exact process of setting up a functioning government, taxing the towns and mandating elections to properly govern the new dwellings on the connectecotte river. In addition to this, The Fundamental Orders was written in the form of a constitution that is neatly proclaimed and with each point of the order identifying a different aspect of the government that is to be built.

4.) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government?
A specific constitution is very useful for building a government because the creation of a constitution not only inscribes these new laws onto paper, but also creates a reference that the colonists could look back upon while setting everything up. The order also states that wherever there is a congregation of people, that in order to maintain peace God has ordered that an orderly and functional government be set up to keep the peace and unite the people.

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 make it very clear that the officers who will be in power must be elected in a fair trial by the people as well as the governor cannot serve more than once in two years. The Compact also states that to solidify the choice of the people, each town can send a reasonable proportion of their freemen to the general court to vote for or against laws and orders. These restrictions and emphasis on the election process showcase the fear and methods of safeguarding against having one person or a small group posses all the power.

6.) The Articles of Confederation established the role of the national government and bound the original 13 colonies. The Mayflower Compact and The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut had a similar role when they were created in the 1600's.