LAD #1- Mayflower Compact

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The concepts included in the Mayflower Compact were the colonies first attempts at a government, which was formed prior to disembarking on the Mayflower which sent many new colonists to the Americas in 1620. It was a basic agreement to establish a simple government in North Virginia in which the individual was submissive to the will of a majority. In this agreement vaguely outlined a democratic form of government which’s brief document still helped create a foundation for a solid democracy.
2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects and is in attachment to both the “Old” and “New” worlds because it still stated loyalty to King James, and also a democratic declaration. Even though the new culture began to blossom in the Americas, the 41 white males who drafted this document listed “by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc” clearly paid respects to the mother country. However, the Mayflower Compact does go on further to state that a democratic style of government would be united with the old morals and ideology of the Old World.
3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact in that the Orders summarized the basic law of Connecticut the years of 1639 to 1662, and consisted of a preamble and eleven orders. It differed from the Mayflower Compact in the sense that despite it’s somewhat conciseness, it addressed many more topics in more specific ways. The eleven laws present were much more informative as to the way the government would be run, and how the colonists must conduct themselves. Voting and government held power, and court was addressed. Both documents lacked much detail, but you may compare the Compact and the Orders clearly as they both tackle more topics and issues facing the colonies.
4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
In 1637, a commonwealth between the towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor formed. It followed the event which suggested fixing the overall principles of current government. In the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut this came into play. They were able to make decisions to rely on written documents as their approach to government because of their mother country. Most colonists borrowed European philosophy and the British Magna Carta laid the foundation for parliament and citizens. It was the impact Europe had on the new colonies that led to the drafting of prewritten documents such as the Fundamental Orders.
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 created a practical safeguard against individual groups seizing power in the colony. In stressing the importance of the whole colony, rather than an individual interest, the fear of individual attainment was displayed, and in order four, it states that one individual may not be chosen more than once in a period of two years. Also that the certain individual must be a member of some approved congregation, as well as public office, making many people unable to receive too much power.