LAD/Blog #1: Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of CT
LAD/Blog #1: Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of CT
#1: What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The concepts included in the Mayflower Compact are those that describe why the colonists came to settle in America. These include for God (and spreading the Christian faith), for the king and their country, and to plant the first colony in northern Virginia. The Mayflower Compact also illustrates that the colonists said they would work together (in a civil body) because of all these reasons, and would establish laws, acts, and constitutions for the good of the colony. The document also said the colonists promised submission and obedience to England. The settlers of New Plymouth then signed the document (1620).
#2: How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects a connection to both worlds because it explains what the colonists planned to do in the colony (by establishing a government in the New World), and why they planned to do so (for the Christian faith/honoring their homeland in the Old World). It demonstrates attachment because even though colonists were moving forward and forming a government in the New World, they did it for reasons in the Old World, and still declared submission/obedience to England in the Old World.
#3: How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was much different than the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact said a government was made/laws would be created, and demonstrated the reasons the colonists settled in Plymouth. On the other hand, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was an agreement between the settlements of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield that established a representative government, according to God. The rules for elections of representatives were created, as well as laws regarding the General Court and also for payment of levies. Overall, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was more rules for how the new government would be run, whereas the Mayflower Compact was more that a government was established, laws would be created and followed, and reasons for colonization.
#4: What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government?
The colonists of Connecticut decided to create a government because the people believed that since there was a large group of them gathered in one area, to keep peace and order, a government should be established according to God (created with laws and rules). The people wanted to preserve the liberty/purity of the Gospel by following it in Church, and also be guided in civil affairs by laws, which is where the written constitution of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut fit in. It described how the representative government was to be run. The fact that the laws were written gave them much more importance and prevented the abuse of power.
#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 and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few by creating yearly elections, and any person who was eligible would vote in them (with only one vote-as no one had too much power). Also, the Secretary was not allowed to name any person they saw fit to become a Magistrate (although they played a large role in government, it was still restricted). It also limited the amount of time a Governor could serve, ensuring they didn't have too much power. All of these things made sure that no one person or small group of people had too much control in the government, and prevented abuses of power.
The Mayflower Compact
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The US Constitution (synthesis)
#1: What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The concepts included in the Mayflower Compact are those that describe why the colonists came to settle in America. These include for God (and spreading the Christian faith), for the king and their country, and to plant the first colony in northern Virginia. The Mayflower Compact also illustrates that the colonists said they would work together (in a civil body) because of all these reasons, and would establish laws, acts, and constitutions for the good of the colony. The document also said the colonists promised submission and obedience to England. The settlers of New Plymouth then signed the document (1620).
#2: How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects a connection to both worlds because it explains what the colonists planned to do in the colony (by establishing a government in the New World), and why they planned to do so (for the Christian faith/honoring their homeland in the Old World). It demonstrates attachment because even though colonists were moving forward and forming a government in the New World, they did it for reasons in the Old World, and still declared submission/obedience to England in the Old World.
#3: How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was much different than the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact said a government was made/laws would be created, and demonstrated the reasons the colonists settled in Plymouth. On the other hand, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was an agreement between the settlements of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield that established a representative government, according to God. The rules for elections of representatives were created, as well as laws regarding the General Court and also for payment of levies. Overall, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was more rules for how the new government would be run, whereas the Mayflower Compact was more that a government was established, laws would be created and followed, and reasons for colonization.
#4: What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government?
The colonists of Connecticut decided to create a government because the people believed that since there was a large group of them gathered in one area, to keep peace and order, a government should be established according to God (created with laws and rules). The people wanted to preserve the liberty/purity of the Gospel by following it in Church, and also be guided in civil affairs by laws, which is where the written constitution of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut fit in. It described how the representative government was to be run. The fact that the laws were written gave them much more importance and prevented the abuse of power.
#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 and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few by creating yearly elections, and any person who was eligible would vote in them (with only one vote-as no one had too much power). Also, the Secretary was not allowed to name any person they saw fit to become a Magistrate (although they played a large role in government, it was still restricted). It also limited the amount of time a Governor could serve, ensuring they didn't have too much power. All of these things made sure that no one person or small group of people had too much control in the government, and prevented abuses of power.
The Mayflower Compact
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The US Constitution (synthesis)
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