What document served as the first written constitution in America, establishing a representative government?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is recognized as the first written constitution in America that established a representative government. Adopted in 1638-1639, this document laid out the framework for the government of the Connecticut colony. It provided for a system of government with an elected governor and a legislature, reflecting the early movements towards self-governance that characterized many of the New England colonies.

While the Mayflower Compact is notable for establishing a form of social contract and mutual agreement among the Pilgrims for governance, it did not create a fully fledged written constitution. The Freeman's Charter refers to a charter for Massachusetts Bay Colony, which, while important, was not a constitution itself. The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, functioned as the first national constitution for the United States but came much later and was not a colonial document. Thus, the significance of the Fundamental Orders is in its establishment of a structured representative government, making it a foundational element in the evolution of American democracy.