LAD #1 Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut:

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

One of the main concepts included in the Mayflower Compact is the idea that the main purpose of the settlers is to advance the Christian faith.  Also, another important concept is that although they are dissatisfied with King James, they will remain loyal to him.  Lastly, the Mayflower Compact describes the settlers goal to establish a form of democratic government that will create just laws.

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

The Mayflower Compact reflects an attachment to the "Old World" by stating that the settlers want to remain loyal to their King James.  It shows how they want to create laws, ordinances, and acts, in the same way these laws were set up in the "Old World".  Along with this it shows a new attachment to the "New World" by describing how the settlers how to create a more democratic government, along with self-rule.

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

Unlike the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders established a confederation of neighboring towns.  Along with this, it was much more of a constitution in that it included written laws and explained how a new government would be set up in greater detail than the Mayflower Compact.  It described how officials would be elected as well as the extent of power that each position had.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach of government?

The colonists of Connecticut were prompted to take this approach of creating a new government because they were combining the towns of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield.  In the creation of a single commonwealth, there grew needs of a stronger, more unified government along with written laws.

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? 

This fear of one or a few people seizing too much power is reflected in the many laws that were put in place to prevent this from happening.  First, the Fundamental Orders states that all officials were to be voted on and elected by the people.  Most importantly however was that no person could be chosen to be governor above once in two years, eliminating the chance of a single person building up too much control.