LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

LAD #1

1)What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The Mayflower includes several main concepts. It shows the continued loyalty to the "dread Sovereign King James", and God. It shows that the writers sought to create a society influenced by religion. The Mayflower Compact includes the formation of a new democratic government, able to pass and enforce laws, constitutions and other acts.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower compact shows attachment to the "Old" world because it states that the colonists are still subjects of the Crown, and still are loyal to their religion, advancing the Christian faith "for the glory of God". The compact shows attachment to the "New" world through its use of democratic ideals, and refusal to have a single all powerful ruler. The colony is independent, and this local government is a characteristic of being attached to the "New" world. 

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders were used to create a more permanent government, with specific laws, while the Mayflower Compact was more of a set of guidelines with no specific laws. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut created a legislature that ruled over several towns and was able to more effectively govern, uniting said towns. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut made no mention of being the subjects of the British King, implying that they intended self rule. The Mayflower Compact declared allegiance 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 created this constitution in order to set down a clear set of laws, that would empower the qualified individuals and give rise to an orderly system of government. This constitution was also created in order to unify several towns in Connecticut, making them similarly powerful.

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 reflect a fear of rule by the few through its laws. It creates a democratic system in order to prevent usurpers from taking control and to even out the balance of power.
Officials were elected on a democratic basis, and the powers of government were limited in some ways. For example, it orders that no governor be elected "above once in two years". The Fundamental Order of Connecticut give the towns equal say in elections and decisions, and thus make it even more difficult for one person or a select few to usurp power.