What is the first known document that described a system of self-government in America?(1 point)
Responses
Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact
House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
Great Law of Pennsylvania
Great Law of Pennsylvania
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Mayflower Compact
The first known document that described a system of self-government in America is the Mayflower Compact.
The correct answer is: The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the options provided and the context of early American history.
The Mayflower Compact was an important document, but it did not describe a system of self-government. Instead, it was a simple agreement among the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower ship in 1620 to create a temporary government and establish laws for the Plymouth Colony.
The House of Burgesses was established in 1619 in Virginia and was the first representative assembly in America. While it played a significant role in American government, it was not a document that outlined a system of self-government.
The Great Law of Pennsylvania refers to a series of laws enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1682. While these laws were influential in shaping the government of Pennsylvania, they were not the first known document to describe a system of self-government in America.
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted by the Connecticut Colony in 1639, is considered the first known written constitution in the American colonies. It outlined the structure and powers of the government in Connecticut, including the election of officials, the division of powers, and the establishment of a court system. It is notable for establishing a government by consent of the governed, thus exemplifying a system of self-government.
Therefore, the correct answer is the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.