AP United States History Summer Homework Packet
Unit 1 Discovery, Exploration and Settlement
Directions: In order to prepare for an in-depth study of United States History at a college level please
complete the following assignment over the summer. This homework is due in Mrs. Pozernick’s box by the
end of WolfPack Days to avoid being removed from the AP United States History Course. There are three
parts to the homework with only part two and three needing to be handed in.
1. Familiarize yourself with the textbook for the class. Pay particular attention to the prologue section
on pages ix-lxv.
2. Outline chapters 1-3 in the textbook. See the instructions below to complete the chapter outlines.
Make sure to include the key terms and people to know listed at the end of each chapter.
3. Complete the primary source analysis questions for the attached primary sources.
This packet will be available on Mrs. Pozernick’s section of the high school website if you lose it or
need another copy.
Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Pozernick by email: [email protected]
Outlines:
1. Read Chapters 1-3. Prepare an outline for each chapter. (Maximum of five pages for each chapter.
Due in Mrs. Pozernick’s Box at Wolfpack Days)
• Process for outlining:
 Each chapter is divided into several sections. These are easily identified by the Blue bold type with two
double red lines beneath. The Shaping of North America is the first topic of Chapter 1.
 First read the section. Then scan the section again identifying the key information. What is the main
theme or thesis statement of the section? What important information supports the theme or thesis
statement? Remember you want to limit your chapter summary to fewer than five pages. Be brief and to
the point.
• Format:
 Use regular notebook paper to complete your outlines. Place the chapter number, your name, and the date
at the top of the paper. Your outlines must be handwritten.
 On the first line place the first topic. Begin with your outline for that section.
 Leave the left margin line clear of any writing. We will be using this area to review when class starts in
September.
 Leave a space between topics.
EXAMPLE OUTLINE:
Abe Lincoln
1 August 2015
1 of 4
Chapter 1 New World Beginnings
The Shaping of North America
Formation of the land on earth specifically North America
• 225 million years ago One super continent split into different continents
• shifting creates features of North America
 Continent held by Canadian Shield- 1st of N. America emerges above sea level
 Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevada Coastal Range- (25 m. years ago)
 Ice age, glaciers 2 miles thick (2 million years ago)
 Glaciers retreat (10,000 years ago) forming current river drainage systems
Peopling of The Americas
TAKE NOTES IN WHATEVER STYLE YOU WANT
START WITH THE THEME THESIS OR MAIN IDEA
JOT DOWN KEY POINTS,PEOPLE, EVENTS ETC.
THAT SUPPORT THE THEME, THESIS OR MAIN IDEA
BE BRIEF! REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO DO CH. 1-3
Primary Source Readings: (Due in Mrs. Pozernick’s Box at Wolfpack Days).
Each Chapter will have a series of primary sources to read. Primary sources are firsthand accounts from the
time period that give historians valuable insights into the past. Skills for Interpreting and analyzing primary
sources are tools that will help you be a successful student of history. The following list contains the primary
sources that you are required to read for chapters 1-3. Each source is divided into 3 parts. First you will read
an introduction, followed by the actual text body, and finally by some questions.
INTRODUCTION: This section is helpful for determining subject, place and time, audience, occasion and
purpose of the source.
TEXT BODY: After reading many of the selections you will wonder if my computer has spell check! The
text is written using the language and spelling from the time period. This makes it
interesting when trying to interpret its meaning. Use a dictionary if necessary
QUESTIONS: Each source will be followed by a series of questions. Write out your answers so the question
is imbedded in the answer. That way when we return to school in the fall we will be able to
remember what the context of the question is.
CHAPTER 1 NEW WORLD BEGINNINGS
SOURCE A: Juan Gines de Sepulveda Belittles the Indians (1547)
SOURCE B: Bartolome de Las Casas Defends the Indians (1552)
SOURCE C: Richard Hakluyt Calls for an Empire (1582)
Chapter 2 THE PLANTING OF ENGLISH AMERICA
SOURCE A: The Starving Time (1609)
SOURCE B: The Laws of Virginia (1610-1611)
SOURCE C: Maryland Toleration Act, 1649
Chapter 3 SETTLING THE NORTHERN COLONIES
SOURCE A: The Mayflower Compact, America 1621
SOURCE B John Winthrop, "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630)
SOURCE C: William Penn, from "Model of Government" (1681)
SOURCE D: Fundamental Order of Connecticut, 1639
CHAPTER 1 NEW WORLD BEGINNINGS
SOURCE A: Juan Gines de Sepulveda Belittles the Indians (1547)
Juan Gines Sepulveda was an outstanding example of the "Renaissance man." A Spaniard who
studied in the cradle of the Renaissance, Italy, he achieved fame as a theologian, philosopher,
historian, and astronomer. When Emperor Charles V convened a debate in Valladolid, Spain, in
1550-1551 to determine the future of Spain's relationship with the American aborigines, he naturally
turned to Sepulveda as one of the most learned men in his realm. As a student of Aristotle, Sepulveda
relied heavily on the classical distinction between "civilized" Greeks and "barbarians." The
selection that follows is not a transcript of the debate at Valladolid but an excerpt from Sepulveda
book The Second Democrates, published in 1547, in which he set forth his basic arguments.
The Spanish have a perfect right to rule these barbarians of the New World and the adjacent islands, who in
prudence, skill, virtues, and humanity are as inferior to the Spanish as children to adults, or women to men,
for there exists between the two as great a difference as between savage and cruel races and the most
merciful, between the most intemperate and the moderate and temperate and, I might even say, between apes
and men.
You surely do not expect me to recall at length the prudence and talents of the Spanish.... And what can I say
of the gentleness and humanity of our people, who, even in battle, after having gained the victory, put forth
their greatest effort and care to save the greatest possible number of the conquered and to protect them from
the cruelty of their allies? Well, then, if we are dealing with virtue, what temperance or mercy can you expect
from men who are committed to all types of intemperance and base frivolity, and eat human flesh? Although
some of them show a certain ingenuity for various works of artisanship, this is no proof of human cleverness,
for we can observe animals, birds, and spiders making certain structures which no human accomplishment
can competently imitate. Therefore, if you wish to reduce them, I do not say to our domination, but to a
servitude a little less harsh, it will not be difficult for them to change their masters, and instead of the ones
they had, who were barbarous and impious and inhuman, to accept the Christians, cultivators of human
virtues and the true faith. ...
Questions:
1. What differences does Sepulveda emphasize between Europeans (especially Spaniards) and the
Indians?
2. What grounds does he assert the superiority of European culture?
SOURCE B: Bartolome de Las Casas Defends the Indians (1552)
The Dominican friar Bartolome de Las Casas was Sepulveda's great antagonist in the debates of
1550-1551 at Valladolid. As a young man, Las Casas had sailed with one of the first Spanish
expeditions to the West Indies in 1502. A humane, sensitive priest, he was soon repelled by his
countrymen's treatment of the native peoples of the New World. He eventually became Bishop of
Guatemala and devoted himself to reforming Spanish colonial policies-for which he was recognized
as the "Protector of the Indians." His vivid and polemical account The Destruction of the Indies did
much to spread the "Black Legend" of Spain's brutal behavior in the New World a legend not
without substance, and eagerly exploited by the rival English.
Now if we shall have shown that among our Indians of the western and southern shores (granting that we call
them barbarians and that they are barbarians) there are important kingdoms, large numbers of people who
live settled lives in a society, great cities, kings, judges and laws, persons who engage in commerce, buying,
selling, lending, and the other contracts of the law of nations, will it not stand proved that the Reverend
Doctor Sepulveda has spoken wrongly and viciously against peoples like these, either out of malice or
ignorance of Aristotle's teaching, and, therefore, has falsely and perhaps irreparably slandered them before the
entire world? From the fact that the Indians are barbarians it does not necessarily follow that they are
incapable of government and have to be ruled by other's, except to be taught about the Catholic faith and to
be admitted to the holy sacraments. They are not ignorant, inhuman, or bestial. Rather, long before they had
heard the word Spaniard they had properly organized states, wisely ordered by excellent laws, religion, and
custom. They cultivated friendship and, bound together in common fellowship, lived in populous cities in
which they wisely administered the affairs of both peace and war justly and equitably, truly governed by laws
that at very many points surpass ours, and could have won the admiration of the sages of Athens....
Next, I call the Spaniards who plunder that unhappy people torturers.... For God's sake and man's faith in
him, is this the way to impose the yoke of Christ on Christian men? Is this the way to remove wild barbarism
from the minds of barbarians? Is it not, rather, to act like thieves, cut-throats, and cruel plunderers and to
drive the gentlest of people headlong into despair? The Indian race is not that barba6c, nor are they dull
witted or stupid, but they are easy to teach and very talented in learning all the liberal arts, and very ready to
accept, honor, and observe the Christian religion and correct their sins (as experience has taught) once priests
have introduced them to the sacred mysteries and taught them the word of God. They have been endowed
with excellent conduct, and before the coming of the Spaniards, as we have said, they had political states that
were well founded on beneficial laws.
The Indians are our brothers, and Christ has given his life for them. Why, then, do we persecute them with
such inhuman savagery when they do not deserve such treatment? The past, because it cannot be undone,
must be attributed to our weakness, provided that what has been taken unjustly is restored.
Finally, let all savagery and apparatus of war, which are better suited to Moslems than Christians, be done
away with. Let upright heralds be sent to proclaim Jesus Christ in their way of life and to convey the attitudes
of Peter and Paul. [The Indians] will embrace the teaching of the gospel, as I well know, for they are not
stupid or barbarous but have a native sincerity and are simple, moderate, and meek, and, finally, such that I do
not know whether there is any people readier to receive the gospel. Once they have embraced it, it is
marvelous with what piety, eagerness, faith, and charity they obey Christ's precepts and venerate the
sacraments. For they are docile and clever, and in their diligence and gifts of nature, they excel most peoples
of the known world. . . .
Questions:
1. How are his views of the Indians different from those of Sepulveda?
2. What ideas did the two debaters share?
SOURCE C: Richard Hakluyt Calls for an Empire (1582)
Richard Hakluyt, a remarkable clergyman-scholar-geographer who lies buried in Westminster
Abbey, deserves high rank among the indirect founding fathers of the United States. His published
collections of documents relating to early English explorations must be regarded as among the
"great books" of American history for their stimulation of interest in New World colonization.
(Hakluyt even gambled some of his own small fortune in the company that tried to colonize
Virginia.) Passionately concerned about England's "sluggish security," he wrote the following in the
dedicatory letter of his first published work (1582). It was addressed to Sir Philip Sidney-scholar,
diplomat, author, poet, soldier, and knightly luminary of Queen Elizabeth's court.
I marvel not a little, right worshipful, that since the first discovery of America (which is now full four score
and ten years), after so great conquests and plantings of the Spaniards and Portuguese there, that we of
England could never have the grace to set fast footing in such fertile and temperate places as are left as yet
unpossessed of them. But ... I conceive great hope that the time approacheth and now is that we of England
may share and part stakes [divide the prize] (if we will ourselve) both with the Spaniard and the Portuguese in
part of America and other regions as yet undiscovered. And surely if there were in us that desire to advance
the honor of our country which ought to be in every good man, we would not all this while have forslown
[neglected] the possessing of those lands which of equity and right appertain unto us, as by the discourses that
follow shall appear most plainly.
Yea, if we would behold with the eye of pity how all our prisons are pestered and filled with able men to serve
their country, which for small robberies are daily hanged up in great numbers.... we would hasten . . . the
deducting [conveying] of some colonies of our superfluous people into those temperate and fertile parts of
America, which, being within six weeks' sailing of England, are yet unpossessed by any Christians, and seem
to offer themselves unto us, stretching nearer unto Her Majesty's dominions than to any other part of
Europe....
It chanced very lately that upon occasion I had great conference in matter's of cosmography with an excellent
learned man of Portugal, most privy to all the discoveries of his nation, who wondered that those blessed
countries from the point of Florida northward were all this while unplanted by Christians, protesting with
great affection and zeal that if he were now as young as I (for at this present he is three score years of age) he
would sell all he had, being a man of no small wealth
and honor, to furnish a convenient number of ships to sea for the inhabiting of those countries and reducing
those gentile [heathen] people to Christianity. . . .
If this man's desire might be executed, we might not only for the present time take possession of that good
land, but also, in short space, by God's grace find out that short and easy passage by the Northwest which we
have hitherto so long desired.... Certainly, if hitherto in our own discoveries we had not been led with a
preposterous desire of seeking rather gain than God's glory, I assure myself that our labors had taken far
better effect. But we forgot that godliness is great riches, and that if we first seek the kingdom of God, all
other things will be given unto us....
Questions:
1. What were Hakluyt's various arguments for settling the Atlantic Coast north of Florida?
2. Which ones probably appealed mot strongly to Sidney's patriotism and religious faith?
Chapter 2 THE PLANTING OF ENGLISH AMERICA
SOURCE A: The Starving Time (1609)
Captain John Smith--adventurer, colonizer, explorer, author, and map maker--also ranks among
America's first historians. Writing from England some fifteen years later, about events that he did
not personally witness, he tells a tale that had come to him at second hand.
The day before Captain Smith returned for England with the ships [October 4, 16091, Captain Davis arrived
in a small pinnace [light sailing vessel], with some sixteen proper men more.... For the savages [Indians] no
sooner understood Smith was gone but they all revolted, and did spoil and murder all they encountered. . . .
Now we all found the loss of Captain Smith; yea, his greatest maligners could now curse his loss. As for corn
provision and contribution from the savages, we [now] had nothing but mortal wounds, with clubs and
arrows. As for our hogs, hens, goats, sheep, horses, and what lived, our commanders, officers, and savages
daily consumed them. Some small proportions sometimes we tasted, till all was devoured; then swords, arms,
[fowling] pieces, or anything we traded with the savages, whose cruel fingers were so often imbrued in our
blood that what by their cruelty, our Governor's indiscretion, and the loss of our ships, of five hundred
[persons] within six months after Captain Smith's departure there remained not past sixty men, women, and
children, most miserable and poor creatures. And those were preserved for the most part by roots, herbs,
acorns, walnuts, berries, now and then a little fish. They that had starch [courage] in these extremities made
no small use of it; yea, [they ate] even the very skins of our horses.
Nay, so great was our famine that a savage we slew and buried, the poorer sort took him up again and ate
him; and so did diver's one another boiled and stewed, with roots and herbs. And one amongst the rest did
kill his wife, powdered [salted] her, and had eaten part of her before it was known, for which he was executed,
as he well deserved. Now whether she was better roasted, boiled, or carbonadoed [broiled], I know not; but
of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard of.
This was the time which still to this day [1624] we called the starving time. It were too vile to say, and scarce
to be believed, what we endured. But the occasion was our own, for want of providence, industry, and
government, and not the barrenness and defect of the country, as is generally supposed. For till then in three
years ... we had never from England provisions sufficient for six months, though it seemed by the bills of
loading sufficient was sent us, such a glutton is the sea, and such good fellows the mariner's. We as little
tasted of the great proportion sent us, as they of our want and miseries. Yet notwithstanding they ever
overswayed and ruled the business, though we endured all that is said, and chiefly lived on what this good
country naturally afforded, yet had we been even in Paradise itself with these governors, it would not have
been much better with us. Yet there were amongst us who, had they had the government as Captain Smith
appointed but . could not maintain it, would surely have kept us from those extremities of miseries.'
Questions:
1. What indications of modesty or lack of it are present?
2. What pulled the settlers through?
SOURCE B: The Laws of Virginia (1610-1611)
Whereas his Majesty, like himself a most zealous prince, has in his own realms a principal care of true religion
and reverence to God and has always strictly commanded his generals and governors, with all his forces
wheresoever, to let their ways be, like his ends, for the glory of God. And forasmuch as no good service can
be performed, or were well managed, where military discipline is not observed, and military discipline cannot
be kept where the rules or chief parts thereof be not certainly set down and generally know, I have, with the
advice and counsel of Sir Thomas Gates, Knight, Lieutenant-General, adhered unto the laws divine and
orders politic and martial of his lordship, the same exemplified, as addition of such others as I found either
the necessity of the present state of the colony to require or the infancy and weakness of the body thereof as
yet able to digest, and do now publish them to all persons in the colony, that they may as well take knowledge
of the laws themselves as of the penalty and punishment, which, without partiality, shall be inflicted upon the
breakers of the same.
1. First, Since we owe our highest and supreme duty, our greatest, and all our allegiance to him from whom all
power and authority is derived and flows as from the first and only fountain, and being especial soldiers
impressed in this sacred cause, we must alone expect our success from him, who is only the blesser of all
good attempts, the king of kings, the commander of commanders, and lord of hosts, I do strictly command
and charge all captains and officers, of what quality or nature soever, whether commanders in the field or in
town or towns, forts or fortresses, to have a care that the Almighty God be duly and daily served and that
they call upon their people to hear sermons, as that also they diligently frequent morning and evening prayer
themselves by their own exemplar and daily life and duty herein, encouraging others thereunto, and that such
who shall often and willfully absent themselves be duly punished according to the martial law in that case
provided.
2. That no man speak impiously or maliciously against the holy and blessed Trinity or any of the three
persons, that is to say, against God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, or against the known
articles of the Christian faith, upon pain of death.
3. That no man blaspheme God's holy name upon pain of death, or use unlawful oaths, taking the name of
God in vain, curse, or bane upon pain of severe punishment for the first offense so committed and for the
second to have a bodkin thrust through his tongue; and if he continue the blaspheming of God's holy name,
for the third time so offending, he shall be brought to a martial court and there receive censure of death of his
offense.
4. No man shall use any traitorous words against his Majesty's person or royal authority, upon pain of death.
5. No man shall speak any word or do any act which may tend to the derision or despite of God's holy word,
upon pain of death; nor shall any man unworthily demean himself unto any preacher or minister of the same,
but generally hold them in all reverent regard and dutiful entreaty; otherwise he the offender shall openly be
whipped three times and ask public forgiveness in the assembly of the congregation three several Sabbath
days.
6. Every man and woman duly, twice a day upon the first tolling of the bell, shall upon the working days
repair unto the church to hear divine service upon pain of losing his or her day's allowance for the first
omission, for the second to be whipped, and for the third to be condemned to the galleys for six months.
Likewise, no man or woman shall dare to violate or break the Sabbath by any gaming, public or private
abroad or at home, but duly sanctify and observe the same, both himself and his family, by preparing
themselves at home with private prayer that they may be the better fitted for the public, according to the
commandments of God and the orders of our church. As also every man and woman shall repair in the
morning to the divine service and sermons preached upon the Sabbath day in the afternoon to divine service
and catechizing, upon pain for the first fault to lose their provision and allowance for the whole week
following, for the second to lose the said allowance and also to be whipped, and for the third to suffer death.
7. All preachers and ministers within this our colony or colonies shall, in the forts where they are resident,
after divine service, duly preach every Sabbath day in the forenoon and catechise in the afternoon and weekly
say the divine service twice every day and preach every Wednesday. Likewise, every minister where he is
resident, within the same fort or fortress, towns or town, shall choose unto him four of the most religious and
better disposed as well to inform of the abuses and neglects of the people in their duties and service of God,
as also to the due reparation and keeping of the church handsome and fitted with all reverent observances
thereunto belonging. Likewise, every minister shall keep a faithful and true record of church book of all
christenings, marriages, and deaths of such our people as shall happen within their fort or fortress, towns or
town, at any time, upon the burden of a neglectful conscience and upon pain of losing their entertainment.
8. He that, upon pretended malice, shall murder or take away the life of any man, shall be punished with
death.
9. No man shall commit the horrible and detestable sins of sodomy, upon pain of death; and he or she that
can be lawfully convict of adultery shall be punished with death. No man shall ravish or force any woman,
maid or Indian, or other, upon pain of death; and know that he or she that shall commit fornication, and
evident proof made thereof, for their first fault shall be whipped, for their second they shall be whipped, and
for their third they shall be whipped three times a week for one month and ask public forgiveness in the
assembly of the congregation.
10. No man shall be found guilty of sacrilege, which is a trespass as well committed in violating and abusing
any sacred ministry, duty, or office of the church irreverently or prophanely, as by being a church robber to
filch, steal, or carry away anything out of the church appertaining thereunto or unto any holy and consecrated
place to the divine service of God, which no man shall do upon pain of death. Likewise, he that shall rob the
store of any commodities therein of what quality soever, whether provisions of victuals, or of arms, trucking
stuff, apparel, linen, or woolen, hose or shoes, hats or caps, instruments or tools of steel, iron, etc., or shall
rob from his fellow soldier or neighbor anything that is his, victuals, apparel, household stuff, tool, or what
necessary else soever, by water or land, out of boat, house, or knapsack, shall be punished with death. . . .
11. Every minister or preacher shall, every Sabbath day before catechising, read all these laws and ordinances
publicly in the assembly of the congregation upon pain of his entertainment checked for that week.
Questions:
1. According to these laws, Virginia was originally organized as a "military" colony. Why might the
colonists have described themselves this way in drawing up these laws.
2. What values were important to these colonists? What did they see as vital for their continued
survival?
SOURCE C: Maryland Toleration Act, 1649
BECAUSE of intolerance in Protestant England, Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholic aristocrat, wanted to
start a colony where he could freely practice his Roman Catholic religion. He founded Maryland in 1634 from
land granted him by King Charles 1. To protect religious freedom, the colony passed a Toleration Act in
1649. This act allowed all Christian settlers to worship as they wished. It was the first legislative act of
religious toleration in the colonies.
FOR,AS MUCH as in a well.governed and Christian Common Wealth matters concerning Religion and the
honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideration and endeavoured to be
settled....
... [W]hereas the inforceing of the conscience in matters of Religion hath frequently fallen out to be of
dangerous Consequence in those common- wealthes where it hath been practised, And for the more quiett
and peaceable governement of this Province, and the better to preserve mutuah Love and amity amongst the
Inhabitants thereof. Be it Therefore ... enacted ... that noe person or per- sons whatsoever within this
Province, or the Is- lands, Ports, Harbors, Creekes, or havens there- unto belonging professing to believe in
Jesus Christ, shall from henceforth bee any waies trou- bled, Molested, or discountenanced for or in respect
of his or her religion nor in the free exercise thereof within this Province or the Islands thereunto belonging
nor any way compelled to the beleife or exercise of any other religion against his or her consent, soc as they
be not unfaithful to the
Lord Proprietary, or molest or conspire against the civiu Government established or to bee established in this
Province under him or his heires. And that all 8c every person and persons that shall presume Contrary to
this Act and the true intent and mean- ing thereof directly or indirectly either in person or estate willfully to
wronge, disturb, trouble, or mo- lest any person whatsoever within this Province professing to believe in
Jesus Christ for or in re- spect of his or her religion or the free exercise thereof within this Province other
than is provided for in this Act that such person or persons soc of- fending shalbe compelled to pay trebble
damages to the party soc wronged or molested, and for every such offence shall also forfeit 20s sterling in
money or the value thereof ... Or if the parties soc offending as aforesaid shall refuse or bee unable to
recompense the party soc wronged, or to satisfy such ffyne or forfeiture, then such offender shalbe severely
punished by publick whipping and imprisonment during the pleasure of the Lord proprietary, or his
Lieutenant or cheife Governor of this Province....
Questions:
1. What is the main theme of the Maryland Toleration Act?
2. As stated in the document, what penalty will be imposed on a person interfering with another's
expression or exercise of religious faith?
3. What penalty will be imposed on a person unable to pay a fine or forfeit?
4. In what ways is the Act of Toleration an example of intoleration?
Chapter 3 Settling the Northern Colonies
SOURCE A: The Mayflower Compact, America 1621
[IN THE strict sense this Compact, drawn up in the cabin of the Mayflower, was not a constitution,
which is "a document defining and limiting the functions of government." It was, however, the
germ of popular government in America. Governor Bradford makes this reference to the
circumstances under which the Compact was drawn up and signed:
"This day, before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unity and concord, but
gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement,
that we should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as
we should by common consent agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that follows,
word for word. . ."]
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 undertaken, 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 ourselves together into a
civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by
virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and
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. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed
our names at Cape-Cod the 11 of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of
England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domine 1620."
Questions:
1. Was the Compact, as is often claimed, the first American constitution?
2. In what ways did it foreshadow the development of democratic institutions?
SOURCE B John Winthrop, "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630)
God almighty in His most holy and wise providence hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all
times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, others mean and in
subjection.
Reason: First, to hold conformity with the rest of His works, being delighted to show forth the glory of His
wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures and the glory of His power, in ordering all these
differences for the preservation and good of the whole.
Reason: Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of His spirit. First, upon the
wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the
poor and despised rise up against their superiors and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate in
exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance, etc., in the poor
and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience, etc.
Reason: Thirdly, that every man might have need of other, and from hence they might all be knit more nearly
together in the bond of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more
honorable than another, or more wealthy, etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for
the glory of his creator and the common good of the creature, man.
Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work, we have
taken out a commission, the word hath given us leave to draw our own articles we have professed to
enterprise these actions upon these and these ends, we have hereupon esought Him of favor and blessing.
Now if the Lord shall please to hear s, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath He ratified this
covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict erformance of the articles contained in it, but if
we shall neglect the reservations of these articles which are the ends we have propounded, and assembling
with our God, shall fall to embrace this present world and prosecute our carnal intentions seeking great things
for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, be revenged of such a
perjured people, and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant.
Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck and to provide for our posterity is to follow the counsel of Micah,
to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end we must be knit together in this work
as one man, we must entertain each other in brotherly affection, we must be willing to abridge ourselves of
our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities, we must uphold a familiar commerce together in all
meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality, we must delight in each other, make others' conditions our own,
rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission
and community in the work, our community as members of the same body So shall we keep the unity of the
spirit in the bond of peace. The Lord will be our God and delight in all our ways, so that we shall see much
more of His wisdom, power, goodness, and truth than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find
that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies, when He
shall make us a praise and glory, that men shall say of succeeding plantations, the Lord make it like that of
New England. For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.
So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken and so cause Him to withdraw
His present help from us, we shall be made a story and byword throughout the world, we shall open the
mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God and all professors for God's sake, we shall shame the
faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be
consumed out of the good land whither we are going. And to shut up this discourse with that exhortation of
Moses, that faithful servant of the Lord in His last farewell to Israel, Deut. 30., Beloved there is now set
before us life and good, death and evil, in that we are commanded this day to love the Lord our God, and to
love one another, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His ordinance, and His laws, and
the articles of our covenant with Him that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God my bless
us in the land whither we go to possess it. But if our hearts shall turn away so that we will not obey, but shall
be seduced and worship other Gods, our pleasures, our profits, and serve them, it is propounded unto us this
day we shall surely perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it. Therefore let
us choose life, that we, and our seed, may live, and by obeying His voice, and cleaving to Him, for He is our
life and our prosperity.
Questions:
1. In what ways was life in Virginia different from life in Massachusetts Bay?
2. Compare Winthrop and Penn's visions for a perfect society. How did they think the New World
would help them form a more perfect society?
3. Describe the social structures indicated in Winthrop’s address. What assumptions did he make
about human nature?
SOURCE C: William Penn, from "Model of Government" (1681)
For particular frames and models [of government] it will become me to say little. . . . My reasons are: First,
that the age is too nice and difficult for it, there being nothing the wits of men are more busy and divided
upon. . . .
Secondly, I do not find a model in the world that time, place, and some singular emergencies have not
necessarily altered; nor is it easy to frame a civil government that shall serve all places alike.
Thirdly, I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, which are the
rule of one, a few, and many, and are the three common ideas of government when men discourse on that
subject. But I choose to solve the controversy with this small distinction, and it belongs to all three: any
government is free to the people under it (whatever to be the frame) where the laws rule, and the people are a
party to those laws; and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, and confusion.
Questions:
1. Compare Penn’s vision for his colony with that of John Winthrop.
2. Compare Winthrop and Penn’s visions for a perfect society.
3. How did Penn think that the New World would help him form a more perfect society?
4. What were Penn’s "revolutionary" democratic ideas?
SOURCE D: Fundamental Order of Connecticut, 1639
IN 1636, citizens from several parts of Massachusetts formed settlements in the rich farmlands of the
Connecticut River Valley. By 1639, the newly established settlers had agreed on the Fundamental
Orders-a framework of self-government for the new towns and the first written constitution in
America.
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased the All- mighty God by the wise disposition of his divyne providence so to
Order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Harteford and Wethersfield
are now cohabitating [living] and dwelling in and uppon the River of Conectecotte and the lands thercunto
adioyneing; And well knowing where a people are gathered togather the word of God requires that to
maynta@ne the peace and union of such a people there should be an or- derly and decent Government
established accord- ing to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people at all seasons as occation
shall require; doe therefore assotiate and conioyne our selves to be as one Publike State or Commonwelth;
and doe, for our selves and our Successors and such as shall be adioyned to us att any tyme hereafter, enter
'mto Combination and Confederation togather, to mayntayne and presearve the liberty and purity of the
gospeu of our Lord Jesus which we now pro-: fesse, as also the disciplyne of the Churches, which according
to the truth of the said-gospell is now practised amongst us; As also in our Civell Affaires to be guided and
governed according to such Lawes, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered & decreed ....
1. It is Ordered ... that there shall be yerely two generafl Assemblies or Courts, . . . the first shall be called the
Courte of Election, wherein shall be yerely Chosen ... magestrats and other pub- like Officers ... Whereof one
to be chosen Governour for the yeare ensueing and untill another be chosen, and noe other Magestrate to be
chosen for more than one ye Iare; provided allwayes there be sixe chosen besids the Governour; which ...
shall have power to administer justice according to the Lawes here established, . . . which choise shall be made
by all that are admitted freemen and have taken the 6Oath of Fideflity, and doe cohabitte [live] within this
Jurisdiction ....
4. It is Ordered . . .that no, person be chosen Governor above once in two yeares, and that the Governor be
alwayes a member of some approved congregation, and formerly of the Magestracy within this Jurisdiction;
and all the Magestrats Freemen of this Commonwelth....
8. It is Ordered ... that Wyndsor, Hartford and Wethersfield shall have power, ech Towne, to send fower
[four] of their freemen as their deputyes to every General Courte and whatsoever other Townes shall be
hereafter added to this Jurisdiction, they shall send so many deputyes as the Coufte shall judge meete, a
resonable proportion to the number of Freemen that are in the said Townes being to be attended therein....
Questions:
1. Which geographic areas would be governed by the Fundamental Orders?
2. Why was this document written?
3. According to the Fundamental Orders, what is the main fimction of government?
4. Who, according to the Fundamental Orders, is qualified to vote for the magistrates?