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The Fundamental Orders are associated with the Connecticut colony, which was established in the early 17th century. In 1638, these Orders were drafted and are often considered one of the first written constitutions that created a government based on the consent of the governed. They established a framework for the government of Connecticut, outlining the powers of the government, the election of officials, and the rights of the individual citizens. This document represented a significant step toward democratic governance in the American colonies, as it emphasized the idea of rule by law and the importance of civic participation in government.

Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and New Jersey did not have this early constitutional framework in their governments, illustrating the uniqueness of Connecticut’s early governance and influence in shaping democratic principles in colonial America.