Mayflower Compact

Definition

The Mayflower Compact was a formal agreement created by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620, establishing a self-governing colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This document is significant as it represented an early form of social contract and democracy, where the settlers agreed to govern themselves through majority rule, laying a foundational precedent for future governance in America.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Mayflower Compact was signed on November 21, 1620, before the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock.
2. This compact was crucial because it established a form of self-governance based on the consent of the governed, marking a step towards democratic practices in America.
3. The signers of the Mayflower Compact included both Pilgrims and non-Pilgrims, reflecting a commitment to unity among diverse groups for the sake of survival and order.
4. The compact asserted that laws would be made for the general good of the colony, emphasizing collective decision-making through majority rule.
5. The principles outlined in the Mayflower Compact influenced later American political documents and ideals, including elements found in both state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution.

Review Questions

• How did the Mayflower Compact reflect early democratic principles among the Pilgrims?
  • The Mayflower Compact showcased early democratic principles by establishing a framework for self-governance through mutual agreement and majority rule among settlers. The Pilgrims recognized that survival depended on cooperation and organized leadership, thus they created a social contract that allowed them to collectively decide on laws for their new colony. This act of coming together to govern themselves laid important groundwork for future democratic practices in America.
• Discuss the implications of the Mayflower Compact for later American governance and political thought.
  • The Mayflower Compact had significant implications for later American governance as it introduced key concepts such as self-rule, social contracts, and consent of the governed. It demonstrated that a group of individuals could establish their own authority and laws without direct oversight from an external power. This document's emphasis on collective decision-making influenced subsequent documents like state constitutions and helped shape American political thought around democracy and individual rights.
• Evaluate how the Mayflower Compact set a precedent for future constitutional developments in America.
  • The Mayflower Compact set a vital precedent for future constitutional developments by illustrating how communities could create their own governing documents based on shared values and agreements. By prioritizing collective decision-making and accountability to one another, it established principles that would echo through time, influencing both state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution. The compact's focus on self-governance and representative democracy became foundational concepts in American political ideology, demonstrating the importance of citizen participation in governance.

Related terms

Pilgrims: The group of English settlers who traveled to North America on the Mayflower, seeking religious freedom and a new life in the New World.

Social Contract:

A philosophical concept where individuals agree to form a society and abide by its rules, often used to justify government authority and collective decision-making.

Fundamental Orders: A set of laws adopted in 1638-1639 by the Connecticut Colony, considered by some as the first written constitution that created a government, building on ideas from the Mayflower Compact.