Final answer:
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut contributed to the development of representative government by establishing a detailed colonial government structure, with legislative elections open to all inhabitants, not just church members.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were significant in the growth of representative government in the colonies because they provided a detailed system of government for the colony. This early colonial constitution established a framework for governance that included an annual election for the executive branch, which consisted of a governor and assistants, with the stipulation that members could not immediately succeed themselves. The legislative branch, however, was revolutionary for its more inclusive suffrage; it could be elected by all inhabitants, not just church members, as was common practice in places like Massachusetts Bay and New Haven.
The creation of the Fundamental Orders marked a significant step towards self-government in the American colonies, allowing a level of autonomy that reflected the colonists' understanding of their rights and expectations at that time. Assemblies had the power to initiate legislation, control the budget, and were immune from arrest during sessions. Such democratic elements, while limited by modern standards, were ahead of their time and helped lay the groundwork for the American political system.