Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, issued in 1639, is widely recognized as the first written constitution in North America. It was an agreement between the people of the colony to abide by certain laws and regulations. The document established the framework for a self-governed society and laid out the principles of democracy that are still observed today.The orders outlined how Connecticut’s government should be structured and how its citizens should be treated. It established a unicameral legislature with representatives from each town who were elected annually by ballot. The legislature was given full authority to create laws and regulations that would govern all inhabitants of Connecticut equally regardless of their religious beliefs or social standing. In addition, it provided for taxation for the upkeep of public buildings, bridges, roads, schools, and other necessary services needed for life in colonial times. The document also provided protection from arbitrary arrest or imprisonment without trial as well as guaranteed freedom from cruel punishment. This type of government set up in Connecticut became known as a civil body politic, which meant it was separate from any religious authority but rather based on common consent between citizens and their elected representatives who held office under this new form of governance. The Fundamental Orders also sought to maintain peace among neighboring colonies through arbitration instead of relying on military force whenever disputes arose this concept helped to establish peaceful relations with Native Americans living nearby which quickly set it apart from other colonies at that time period where violence was often used against them instead. Finally it prescribed strict punishments such as fines or imprisonment for those found guilty of breaking its laws something unheard-of in other jurisdictions before then so there could be accountability among both citizens and their leaders alike when violations occurred against any legal order put forth under these rules. Overall, The Fundamental Orders Of Connecticut created an important foundation for democracy in America that has been passed down through centuries since then and serves as a reminder about how far we have come towards creating a more equitable society today than what existed during colonial times all thanks to this important document.