Jonah Patel
The first constitution of the American colonies was called the Fundamental Orders. It was adopted in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1639 by representatives of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford. The Fundamental Orders were inspired by the Puritan influence on early constitutions and became a model for constitutions in other colonies. It was superseded by the Charter of Connecticut in 1662. The United States Constitution, which is the supreme law and foundation of the government of the United States of America, was not written until 1787. However, the Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, served as the United States' first constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Fundamental Orders of Connecticut |
| Date | 1639 |
| Location | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Author | Roger Ludlow |
| Represented Settlements | Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford |
| Type of Government | Unified government |
| Basis of Authority | Free consent of the people |
| Superseded By | Charter of Connecticut |
| Year Superseded | 1662 |
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What You'll Learn
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
In 1662, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were replaced by a Royal Charter. However, the major outline of the charter was written in Connecticut and embodied the Orders' rights and mechanics. The colonists generally viewed the charter as a continuation and surety for their Fundamental Orders.
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The first complete, written constitution
The Puritans in Connecticut drafted the Fundamental Orders as the first framework of written laws in the colonies, agreed upon by the colonists. It was the first written constitution in the world to declare the modern idea that "the foundation of authority is in the free consent of the people". The Fundamental Orders became a model for constitutions in other colonies, such as the Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641. The practice of written constitutions in colonial America was influenced by the Biblical Israelites' practice of written laws, such as the Ten Commandments, and the Puritans' desire to establish their own communities where they could practice their religion freely.
The Fundamental Orders were superseded by the Charter of Connecticut in 1662. However, Connecticut later became known as the "Constitution State" for being the first colony in America to develop a complete constitution to govern itself. The United States Constitution, which is the supreme law and foundation for the government of the United States, was not written until 1787. However, American constitutional history began earlier, with the 13 American colonies under British control each having their own governmental systems. The Articles of Confederation, written in 1777, served as the United States' first constitution and was in force from 1781 until 1789 when the present-day Constitution went into effect.
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The Puritan influence on early constitutions
The first constitution in the American colonies was called the "Fundamental Orders". It was drafted in 1639 by Puritans in Connecticut and is considered the first complete, written constitution in the world. The Fundamental Orders became a model for constitutions in other colonies, such as the Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641.
The Puritans were a religious reform movement that arose within the Church of England in the 16th century. They believed that the Church of England was too similar to the Roman Catholic Church and should eliminate practices not rooted in the Bible. The Puritan movement sought to purify the church and take it back to its New Testament roots. They also believed in the direct covenant with God to enact these reforms. The Puritan migration to the New World consisted mostly of families, unlike other migrations to early America, which were composed of young, single men. The literacy rate among the Puritans was high, and their devotional life was intense, as recorded in surviving diaries, sermon notes, poems, and letters.
The Puritans' Bible-based governing principles and values influenced the early constitutions of the colonies. These included moral truth, self-government, limited government, rule of law, popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, representative government, literacy, and a strong work ethic. The Puritans also valued freedom of religion and speech, although they struggled with issues of religious law and dissent. The framers of the Constitution looked to the Puritan era for guidance when crafting the First Amendment rights for freedom of religion.
- Written constitutions: The Puritans in Connecticut drafted the first complete, written constitution, setting a precedent for other colonies and future governing documents in the United States.
- Bible-based governing principles: The Puritans' values and beliefs, derived from their interpretation of the Bible, shaped their approach to government and law, emphasizing moral truth, limited government, and popular sovereignty.
- Freedom of religion and speech: While the Puritans themselves struggled with religious intolerance, their experience served as a guide for the framers of the Constitution when crafting the First Amendment rights for freedom of religion and speech.
- Emphasis on education and literacy: The Puritans valued literacy and education, which contributed to the development of a literate citizenry and the importance of written laws and constitutions.
- Popular sovereignty and consent of the governed: The Puritans believed in the consent of the governed and popular sovereignty, which influenced the democratic principles enshrined in early constitutions.
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The United States' first constitution
The Articles of Confederation were drafted after the Second Continental Congress, which met in 1775, discussed breaking away from British rule. In 1776, Congressional delegates drafted and passed the Declaration of Independence, which expressed the new nation's principles and values, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, and social contract.
The United States Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation, was signed in 1787 and came into force in 1789 with 11 states included. The Constitution is the supreme law and foundation for the government of the United States, outlining the government's structure, assigning separate powers to its three branches, and protecting the rights of Americans.
The United States Constitution was influenced by the British Magna Carta, a charter of rights signed by King John of England in 1215, and the English Bill of Rights of 1689. It was also influenced by the early colonial documents, which included covenants, compacts, agreements, ordinances, codes, and oaths written by the colonists themselves. The US Constitution also embodies aspects of the first constitutional tradition found in the charters, letters-patent, and instructions for the colonists written in England.
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The United States Constitution
The Puritans in Connecticut drafted the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in 1639, the first complete, written constitution in the world. It was also the first written constitution to declare that "the foundation of authority is in the free consent of the people". This document became a model for constitutions in other colonies, such as the Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641. The practice of written constitutions in early colonial America was influenced by the Biblical Israelites' practice of written laws, as well as the desire of religious dissenters to establish their own communities and the structure of their churches.
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress met and discussed breaking away from British rule. In 1776, the delegates drafted and passed the Declaration of Independence, which expressed the new nation's principles and values, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, and social contract. On July 4, 1776, independence was declared, and the preparation of a plan of confederation was postponed. It was not until November 17, 1777, that the Continental Congress agreed on a form of government that could be approved by the separate states. The Articles of Confederation were then submitted to the states and approved on July 9, 1778, becoming the United States' first constitution.
In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. After three months of highly charged debate, a new constitution was signed, which remains in effect today. The United States Constitution came into force in 1789 with 11 states included, and George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The first constitution of the American colonies was called the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut".
The Fundamental Orders were written in 1639.
The Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, was the first constitution of the United States.
