The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are best described as an early example of what?

• A. Self-government with a written constitution
• B. Direct democracy through town meetings
• C. A Royal Charter with a governor
• D. A federal republic modeled after Britain

Answer: (A)

The fundamental idea is self-government with a written constitution. The Fundamental Orders were created by Connecticut settlers to organize how their colony would be governed, laying out a formal, written framework that describes how leaders are chosen and how laws are made and enforced. This emphasis on rule by the people through a written plan is why it’s seen as an early example of a written constitution in America. It isn’t pure direct democracy, since officials were elected to govern rather than every issue being decided by all voters at once. It wasn’t a royal charter from the crown, and it doesn’t reflect a federal system modeled after Britain.