LAD #1

LAD #1- Mayflower Compact

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

In the Mayflower Compact, essentially the concept was that the settlers were pledging that they still had an alleigance toward the king, but for survival a system to help control life in the New World needed to be adapted. The settlers were going to still listen to the king, but at the same time they needed to organize themselves due to the large distance between the king and the New World and its settlers.

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

The Mayflower Compact was intented to prove to the king that the settlers would still obey and respect the king back in the "Old" World, but at the same time a new lifestyle needed to be developed in the "New" World and showing that the "Old" World and the "New" World were still untied and that the settlers would still respect 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 the fact that the Fundamental Orders contained the first ever constitution. The Mayflower Compact was more of a declaration to the Old World of what the settlers were going to do to govern themselves in the colonies and at the same time respect the king, while the Fudamental Orders actually set up a government and described the powers it possessed.

4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists were prompted to use a written constitution because they saw the advantages themselves during the Pequot War when towns joined up to fight together strongly. This inspired the constitution of Connecticut River towns.

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?

Many of the restrictions within the constitution reflect a fear that the Fundamental Orders had such as giving a magistrate one year terms. Another reason is that the power to choose the leader is with the people because they each get exactly one vote to choose a leader. Also anyone running for magistrate must have experience with the General Court so that they are not new to politics. The governor needs to meet even more requirements than the magistrate because they must be a member of a congregation and be a former magistrate. Rules such as the ones described help ensure that the proper leaders are elsected who will not overtake the government or take advantage of their powers.