Lynn Kowsz
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
I will remember how often the usage of God, because that is such a change from
present day where that is not very political correct to put into a governmental document. Also
I will remember how significant this document it’s towards providing individual rights. All
freemen were allowed to vote for the magistrates. Lastly I will remember how although all
freemen were allowed to vote, many still could not, such as women and slaves. It really makes
me thankful to part of modern America.
It was surprising how they prohibited the same man from being elected governor twice
in a row, which is a good rule, but I did not expect it from such an early document. I was also
surprised that our home state of Connecticut had written such a historic document, because I
would think that it would come from a bigger or more populated state such as Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, or Virginia.
I noticed that the governor has to part of an acceptable congregation, which made me
wonder; what is the first document that does not stipulate what the leader's religion must be?
Virginia Declaration of Rights
I will remember how the fourth right basically is denying any king power over the
state, because this shows how the colonies are already in revolt in 1776. I will remember how
the declaration called for the separation of powers, but it did not include the judicial branch,
because this shows that there was still growth needed before the foundation of the country. I
will remember how similar the first right, and many others, sounded a lot like the Declaration
of Independence and the Bill of Rights, because this document most of had influence on those
to follow.
It is surprising how a state like Virginia that heavily relied on first indentured servants
then slave labor was proclaim every man to be free. I am sure that they did not mean slaves
but looking back it is ironic. The last right is surprising to the modern reader, because of the
irony of allowing freedom of religion yet calling to practice Christian values within the same
right. Today there is such a great divide between church and state.
The similarities in writing to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the
Bill of Rights makes me wonder if George Mason was involved in writing either of those
documents.
The Declaration of Independence
It is important to remember that the colonists had very little rights compared to today
looking at the reasons to declare their independence shows how little freedom they had. They
could not have their own legislations, had taxation without representation, and did not have
free trade. Also I want to remember that the colonists petitioned the king several times before
fighting for independence, but they were ignored. This is a reminder that violence should only
be the last option. One of the most important aspect of this document is that the people have
the right to change their government, which I believe everyone needs to be aware of and
people should try and change their government if only by just voting.
One thing that surprised me was that Connecticut had four representatives, which was
a relatively high amount. This must mean that Connecticut used to have a significant
population compared to today. Second it was surprising to me that it listed the grievances
against the monarchy; I had never seen that part of the document before.
Is the Declaration of Independence used in court rooms to give people rights, like the
Constitution and Bill of Rights?
Articles of Confederation
First, I want to remember that the Articles tried to keep the individual governments of
each state (article 2), because this position did not work and we need to remain united despite
regional differences. Not to mention when the Articles themselves needed to be changed, that
required all the states to pass the bill. Second, it is interesting that each state only gets one
vote no matter how delegates it has; our system bicameral system today seems to work much
better and spreads the voting power out more evenly. Third it is important to recognize that
taxation is needed to maintain financial stability.
It is so surprising that this is the first document to formally name the country; I
thought that would have already happened. Also it is surprising that 9 out of 13 states are
needed to make a decision, because it seems like it is hard to get a majority of 51% today to
pass a bill.
With no taxes how did the country expect to pay off their debts?
Jefferson’s Letter about the Shays’ Rebellion
It is important to remember that women and blacks are not considered as part of the
government, because Jefferson says that people have a great deal of influence in their
government yet more than half the nation could not participate. Also Jefferson supports
rebellion, because, “It prevents the degeneracy of government and nourishes a general
attention to the public affairs.” This confirms the fact the government should represent what
the people want. Lastly, it is important to note the general disregard of Native American
culture during the colonial time period. Jefferson says that they do not have any government,
but in reality they did it just was different from the European standard.
It is surprising that Jefferson talks about how he does not desire to expand and
wonders if the land west of the Mississippi will be explored, because during his presidency he
gets all that land in the Louisiana Purchase and there is the Louis and Clark Expedition. In
addition it is interesting that Jefferson does not want the government to use force on those
who are rebelling; most would want to preserve the nation they fought so hard to gain.
If Jefferson is supportive of rebellion if people believe that their rights are being
denied then what would he think of the Civil War, where they seceded in rebellion?
2)
There are some ideas from each document that are still used in today’s government.
The least prevalent is the Articles of Confederation which gives us the idea that new states
can join the union and sets up a Congress, although the modern equivalent is bicameral and
the votes are not equal for each state in the House of Representatives. Virginia’s Declaration
of Rights set up a separation of powers that was later extended to three branches. Also the
concept that the people have the right to a revolution comes from both Jefferson’s letter and
the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration also supports equality with the phrase “all
men are created equal,” and today we have taken that saying and applied it even farther to
both genders and all races and backgrounds.
A key concept that ran through several of the documents was the idea that the
government should provide individual rights. All freemen were allowed to vote under the
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut and that principle is now relevant to all Americans over
18 years. The Orders did not take into account a man’s religion, which is echoed in Virginia’s
Declaration where freedom of religion is granted. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut not
only allowed freemen of all religion to vote, but a candidate for a governmental position could
be from any denomination. Freedom of religion is one of the most important values of modern
American government and all faiths are welcomed. Virginia’s Declaration also consented to
freedom of the press another essential first amendment right. That document also supplied
many other amendments that are still applicable today such as no cruel or unusual
punishment, trial by a jury, and use of warrants to search a private residence. Overall these
very early documents were the basis of America’s government and are still applicable today
to an extent, because our laws are based off the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which are
very similar to these writings.