Colonial Governments
Mayflower Compact
In 1619, Pilgrims set sail to the New World after living in Holland for 12 years. Led by William
Bradford and William Brewster, the group had received a charter from the King of England
granting them permission to settle along the Hudson River in Virginia. Of the 104 people on
board, 41 were pilgrims and the rest were merchants, craftsmen, skilled workers, indentured
servants, and several young orphans. Rough, stormy weather blew them north of their
destination. Some people argued since they landed outside of Virginia, its rules and regulations
no longer applied. The troublemakers threatened to do as they pleased "for none had power to
command them," wrote William Bradford. The Pilgrim leaders realized that they needed a
temporary government authority. Isolated as they were in America, the laws could only come
from the people themselves. Aboard the Mayflower, by necessity, the Pilgrims and "Strangers"
made a written agreement or compact among themselves.
Virginia House of Burgess
On July 30, 1619 22 burgess (or representatives), two from each of the settled districts along
the James River, met in Jamestown. Each of the burgesses had been elected by the landowning voters of the district in which he lived. The House of Burgesses, as this law-making
body was called, marked the first step toward representative government in the New World.
Maryland Act of Toleration
Lord Baltimore, the founder of Maryland, wanted to prevent religious persecution in his colony.
So he persuaded the legislative assembly to pass the Toleration Act of 1649. This act
guaranteed freedom of worship to anyone who believed in Jesus Christ. This law, however, did
not provide protection to Jews and others who did not profess belief in Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, the Toleration Act marked another important step in the continuing struggle for
religious freedom.
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Connecticut was the first colony to adopt a written constitution, or written plan of government.
This constitution was known as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. The “eleven orders”
were a detailed guide for organizing the government and electing government officials. When
disputes arose, the written law, not the opinions of lawmakers, was to be the guide for deciding
issues. The principle of government under a written constitution became a cornerstone of
American government.
DIRECTIONS:
Using knowledge obtained above; determine which document is represented in the primary
sources below. You will need to complete the following three steps for each:
 Circle key words
 Chose a document
 Justify your answer – 2 PARTS
o write a main idea about the colonial government from the first page
background reader and then…
o explain the connection to the primary source in another sentence
1. “Be it…enacted…that no person or persons… …henceforth be any ways troubled, molested,
or discountenanced…in respect of his or her religion nore in the free exercise thereof
within this province…”
a. Circle key words
b. Circle one of the following documents
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
VA HOUSE OF BURGESS
MD ACT OF TOLERATION
FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CT
c. Justify your answer
2. “It is Ordered...that the deputies thus chosen shall have power and liberty to appoint a
time and place of meeting together before any General court, to advise and consult
of…things that may concern the good of the public.”
a. Circle key words
b. Circle one of the following documents
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
VA HOUSE OF BURGESS
MD ACT OF TOLERATION
FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CT
c. Justify your answer
3. ” …All the men took their places in the hall till a prayer was said by Mr. Bucke, the
Minister, that it would please God to guide all our proceedings... The Speaker ... delivered
in brief to the whole assembly the [purpose] of their meeting. When done he read unto
them the commission for establishing the general Assembly, which consisted of two
representatives from each district, wherein their duties were described... And our intent
is to establish one equal and uniform kind of government.”
a. Circle key words
b. Circle one of the following documents
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
VA HOUSE OF BURGESS
MD ACT OF TOLERATION
FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CT
c. Justify your answer
4. “Solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine
ourselves into a civil body of politic…to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal
laws…as shall be fitting for the general Good of the Colony.”
a. Circle key words
b. Circle one of the following documents
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
VA HOUSE OF BURGESS
MD ACT OF TOLERATION
FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS OF CT
c. Justify your answer