§ Use a highlighter while you read and pay special attention to the titles, headings, etc.

§ Examine the bold face words.

§ Study the diagrams, charts, and pictures

6

Klein ISD Revised 2008

§ Remember to go back and look for answers.

Instructions

Read the Mayflower Compact below and answer the questions that follow.

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal Subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc…

Having under-taken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian Faith, and honor Of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant, and combine our selves together into a civil body politic (stay together for the common good of all), for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid: and by virtue hereof to enact, and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, acts, offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience (that they would submit to the will of the majority by creating laws so they could govern themselves). In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names. Cape Cod 11 of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland 18 and Scotland 54. 1620.

1.  Type of Document ______Date of Document ______

2.  Original Language of Document ______

3.  Author ______

4.  Why do you think Mayflower Compact was written ______

______

5.  Where was the Mayflower Compact written? ______

6.  What do they mean when they say sovereign Lord King James? ______

(Remember sovereign is the root word of sovereignty – a word you learned in 6th and 7th grade

Social Studies classes)

A greater understanding of any document can be accomplished by knowing the meaning of certain words contained in the document.

Using context clues from the reading on the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut:

____1. decent / a.  meeting
____2. commonwealth / b.  citizen
____3. civil / c.  good
____4. session / d.  guided by
____5. moderated / e.  group of people
____6. assembly / f.  whole body of people of a nation or state

Read the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Using this document and the Expert Information answer the questions that follow.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – January 14, 1639

….we, the inhabitants and residents of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield….. knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there ought to be an orderly and decent government established according to God…. Therefore associate… ourselves to be as one public state or commonwealth and do, for ourselves and our successors… enter into combination and confederation together, to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus, which we now profess…. And also in our civil affairs to be guided and governed according to the laws, rules, orders, and decrees as shall be made, ordered, and decreed, as follows:

1.  It is ordered… that there shall be yearly two general assemblies or courts, the Court of Election and the General Court.

2.  It is ordered… that the election of the governor shall be in this manner, every person present and qualified for choice shall bring in one single sheet of paper with the name of him written in it whom he desires to have as Governor, and that he that hath the greatest number of papers shall be Governor for one year.

3.  It is ordered… that any office holder may not nominate any person for an elected office.

4.  It is ordered… that no person be chosen Governor above once in two years.

5.  It is ordered… that the Court of Election and the General Court make the laws.

6.  It is ordered… that the Governor can call the Court of Election and General Court to sessions at least once a month, and more in case of an emergency.

7.  It is ordered… that in every town, village, or city, that there be a general assembly to meet together to choose members of the General Court and the Court of Election and that all be chosen by a majority of the assembly.

8.  It is ordered… that there be four freemen chosen from each town, village, or city, to serve in the General Court and the Court of Election.

9.  It is ordered… that the General Court and Court of Election shall meet to advise and consult on such things as may concern the good of the public, and to create guidelines for the members of both courts.

10.  It is ordered… that the Governor shall moderate the General Court and Court of Election; they shall make laws, repeal laws, dispose of lands, and deal with any other matter that concerns the Commonwealth. Putting all concerns to a vote.

11.  It is ordered… that a committee shall be appointed in the General Court to handle all money and that the committee equally represents all towns, villages, and cities in the commonwealth of Connecticut.

Set forth on this day 14, January 1639.

1.  Type of Document ______Date of Document ______

2.  Original Language of Document______

3.  Author______

4.  Why do you think it was written? ______

5.  Where was it written? ______

6.  How many orders are there? ______

7.  What is the difference between the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

______

______

8.  What two representative assemblies were created by the Orders? ______

______

9.  In Order #2, how are elections supposed to be done for Governor?

______

10.  In Order #5, who makes the laws? ______

11.  What is important about the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

______

Answer the questions below about the documents you have examined. Use the Expert Information and the documents for assistance.

1.  What was King John forced to do in 1215? Why?

2.  What is the name of this document?

3.  What did the English Bill of Rights provide for?

4.  Why are these 2 documents important?

5.  Why did the Connecticut settlers write their plan of government?

6.  What was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

7.  What is the difference between the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

8.  What is the importance of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

For the well Governeing of this Province and Territories there shall be an Assembly yearly Chosen by the Freemen thereof to Consist of foure persons out of each County. . .

—  WilliamPenn, Pennsylvania

—  CharterofPrivileges,1701

Which feature of colonial self-government does this charter establish?

A Direct democracy

B An elected legislature

C Separation of powers

D Checks and balances

6

Klein ISD Revised 2008