Compare and contrast the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut and the

Question

Mayflower Compact.

Answer 1

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut and the Mayflower Compact are both significant documents in American history. While they have some similarities, they also have distinct differences.

1. Purpose:
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were created in 1639 and served as the constitution of the Connecticut colony. They were designed to establish a government and provide a framework for political organization.
- The Mayflower Compact, on the other hand, was created in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower ship. It was a temporary agreement aimed at establishing a basic form of government for the Plymouth colony until they could obtain a more formal charter from the King of England.

2. Origin:
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were a result of the settlement by the English in Connecticut, who sought to create a self-governing system.
- The Mayflower Compact was created by the Pilgrims who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, as a means of establishing a form of government in the new land.

3. Authority:
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut derived their authority from the consent of the people, as it was a document created by the settlers themselves.
- The Mayflower Compact derived its authority from King James I of England, as it was created under his jurisdiction and with the understanding that a more formal patent would be obtained later.

4. Structure:
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established a representative government, with a General Court made up of elected representatives who had the power to make laws and govern the colony.
- The Mayflower Compact established a more direct democracy, where decisions were made collectively by all adult male colonists, who gathered in town meetings to vote on matters.

5. Significance:
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are considered significant as they are often regarded as the first written constitution in America, setting a precedent for future colonial constitutions and later the U.S. Constitution.
- The Mayflower Compact is significant as it was a crucial stepping stone in the development of self-governance in America, laying the foundation for democratic principles and the idea of popular sovereignty.

In summary, both the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut and the Mayflower Compact contributed to the development of democratic governance in America. However, the Fundamental Orders had a more formal and organized structure, while the Mayflower Compact acted as a temporary agreement until a more formal system could be established.