First written constitution in the American colonies?

Answer 1

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut of 1638. The Mayflower Compact dates from 1620; however, it describes itself only as a "covenant". It was, at most, an agreement to "combine ourselves into a civil body politic" to "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."

While the Fundamental Orders spoke to individual rights as an aspiration, the Compact did not. Those entering into the Compact simply swore fealty to the laws they professed their intent to make in the future; however, it made no attempt to define any governing principles whatsoever. The Fundamental Orders spoke to aspirations to elect magistrates and the method of their election (secret ballot); and, it specified powers of government, and specified limits thereto.

Anyone who asserts that the Mayflower Compact was the first written constitution drawn up in America is quite simply wrong. It is no more than a writing recognizing an unwritten, evolving constitution and memorialized interrelated promises among the members of the colony to swear obedience to that future, undefined and as-yet-to-evolve constitution, without ever even describing "it". Such a document would fail to even qualify as a written contract even under the very lax rules of law defining writings which document a contract.

Answer 2

The first written constitution of America was the Prudential Orders of Connecticut

Answer 3

The Articles of Confederation, which was replaced by the U.S constution because it had too many problems.

Answer 4

The Articles Of Confederation was the first written constitution of the New World

Answer 5

Some people say it was the Albany Plan of Union, but the first plan accepted by all the states was the Articles of Confederation.

Answer 6

fundamental orders of cennecticut

Answer 7

Fundamental Order Connecticut

Answer 8

Wow. You are really stupid.

Answer 9

Plymouth pledge

Answer 10

I don’t know