LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
          The Mayflower compact demonstrates several political and ideological concepts that would later become prominent in American government and culture. The compact established the first self governing body in the British North American colonies. In addition,  in the phrase "...for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all do submission and obedience" the republican philosophy of putting the good of the whole before those selfish needs of the individual.   


2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
           In a way, the document creates promises to both the society and government of the old world as well as to the inhabitants of the would-be colony that was to be established in the New World and its people. In the opening of the document its creators reference themselves as "loyal subjects" in addition to citing the founding of the new colony as an undertaking for god, king and country. On the other side of the spectrum, the compact shows a dedication of the group to create a governing political body, for better order and preservation, that shows interest in the good of its people.  


3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
          An obvious difference between the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is the specificity of the document. Both show an obligation to establish some form of colonial government, but the Fundamental Orders establish a concrete framework for a central government whereas the Compact is more of a promise to do so. The Fundamental Orders also include set processes for the election of officials by democratic vote of the people along with civil duties of the people to participate in courts. Also notable in the Fundamental orders is the demonstrated loyalty to god, however lacking a statement in support of the king as found in the Mayflower Compact.


4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
          The colonies of New England, including Connecticut, have been historically noted for the significance of religion in society. In the preamble for the Fundamental Orders in which, as aforementioned, there is a strong presence of a sentiment of loyalty to god, but no such statement affirming loyalty to the British crown. In addition, much of Connecticut's demographic consisted of puritans who had come from  Massachusetts. The group originally immigrated to the New World in search of religious tolerance and aversion of persecution by the monarchy. This suggests the possibility of the desire to stray from a form of government such as monarchy in which one has absolute power and strive to found a more democratic government, quite the inverse of that which had persecuted the group in the Old World. 


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?
          Once again, the obvious stress on democratic ideology and civil involvement suggests the desire to avoid a form of government that places power in the hands of a few. This is reflected in the democratic processes of election of officials by the people to represent them, as well as strong citizen involvement in courts and government in general.