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The Mayflower Compact: Foundation of American Democracy

The Mayflower Compact, signed in November 1620 by the settlers of Plymouth Colony, established a temporary government ensuring order and survival for the new colony. This historic document reflected the colonists' commitment to forming a civil body politic while recognizing their sovereign, King James. The signers, many of whom sought religious freedom, sought to create a self-governing system, marking a significant step towards independence from English rule. The Compact exemplified the concept of a social contract, emphasizing mutual cooperation and governance for the general good of the colony.

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The Mayflower Compact: Foundation of American Democracy

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  1. The Mayflower Compact “In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe, by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd the 11, of November, in the year of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie-fourth. Anno. Dom. 1620.”

  2. Main Idea The Mayflower Compact was signed to create a temporary government in the Plymouth Colony so the settlers would follow its rules and regulations for the sake of the colony’s survival.

  3. Point of View/Bias • The signers of the compact did not like their King James, and only praised him to seem formal. • Because they are formulating a ‘new’ government, the signers do not wish to be under the rule of King James but to be an independent colony

  4. Inferences • About half of the colonists were separatists who were looking for religious toleration. • The colonists were completely bound to the local government and less to the government in England. • It was a type of social contract between the settlers. • The Mayflower was supposed to land at the mouth of the Hudson River, but it’s course was changed to Massachusetts, and this is a reason for the creation of the compact.

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