The Fundamental Orders were a set of laws adopted in 1638 by the settlers of the Connecticut River Valley. They are often considered one of the first written constitutions in the Western tradition, establishing a framework for government in the new colony. The Orders outlined the structure of government, including the powers of the legislature and the rights of the citizens. These laws were significant because they emphasized the idea of a government based on the consent of the governed. The Fundamental Orders served as a model for future constitutions in the United States, influencing the development of democratic principles and governance.