LAD/Blog1:

LAD/Blog1:

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? The Mayflower Compact is a document that includes concepts of religion, fairness, authority and setting up a government. The settlers believe they have "undertaken the Glory of God"; this demonstrates the voyage to the New World as a religious pursuit and how the forming of a new colony was, to a great extent, based on a religious foundation. Also, the Mayflower Compact constitutes the idea of government with respect to "just and equal laws." This provides the idea of fairness in this document and makes people keep the good of the colony in mind. This agreement also demonstrates the authority of King James. The settlers refer to themselves as "Loyal Subjects" of King James, showing their loyalty to the King and how his authority and reign has impacted their colony. Lastly, this document focuses on the idea of creating a new government in their new colony. The colonists establish their concept of a government in the New World and use this as an outline for later institutions.
2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? Religion and loyalty to King James are prominent concepts in the Mayflower Compact which illustrate the strong religious emphasis as well as respect for authority in the Old World. In relation to the New World, the document shows the ideas of equality through law, a concept that wasn't as prevalent in the Old World due to absolute power and harsh rule. Also, the concept of setting up a new government reflects an attachment to the New World and devotion to create just laws.
3. How did the fundamental orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact? The fundamental orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact because the fundamental orders lays out specific institutions or regulations to be followed while the Mayflower Compact merely outlines the basis for a government. Also, the fundamental orders concentrate more on the present, the laws that will make up the government and pays no regard to the authority of the Old Word, King James. This differs from the Mayflower Compact in which the settlers mention multiple times their loyalty to the king.
4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written constitution? The colonists of Connecticut were prompted by the word of God to create a government to provide peace and unity. They also believed this government must be formed to deal with conflicts that arise amongst the people. Therefore, they took this approach to government to make a fair system which could protect the "liberty and purity" of their religious leader and beliefs and prevent power of one person or party.
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 prevents sole power of one person or a few chosen people by instituting the laws dealing with election as well as requiring consent of the majority of the court. The document creates General Assemblies which allows for the rotations of Magistrates and public officers every year. Also, people are allowed to elect their governor for the year. The political officers have to take an oath to be admitted and lastly, in order for the Court to take action, the majority must give consent. All of these regulations show the fear of a singular person or party having power and are therefore put in place to prevent this from happening.
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The Declaration of Independence is similar to the Mayflower Contract in that it provides the basis for equality like the idea of "just and equal laws." Also, like the Fundamental Orders, the Declaration outlines the new system of government, self-government, like the regulations for the new government in the Fundamental Orders. The Declaration requires consent of the governed, similar to the concept in the Fundamental Orders that prevents one party or person from having power and the concept of majority consent.