The Pilgrims and the Mayflower
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a document that was signed on November 21, 1620 aboard the
Mayflower. It was the first document that set principles for the government in the new colony.
41 separatists (men only) of the 101 passengers signed the compact as the earliest document of selfgovernance.
Why the Compact was written
Bad weather conditions forced the Mayflower to anchor in Massachusetts and not in Virginia, which the pilgrims agreed to in a contract with the London Company of Virginia. Since the agreement was not fulfilled some passengers did not want to follow the London Company's rules either but live according to their own rules. They decided to establish their own government in order to maintain order and ensure survival.
The main ideals of the Mayflower Compact
1.Faith and believe in god
2. Loyalty to England and to the King
3. Equality among them
4. Establishing fair and equal laws on which would be built a democratic form of government
The importance of the Mayflower Compact
It is the earliest example of pure democracy. They choose their own leader and have their own laws who all agree on and follow. The decision was based on majority rule and even non-pilgrims were allowed to take part in. This document started the base of the US government and was a blueprint for other groups who came. Without it people in the US would not be able to vote or practice religious freedom.
Clotfelter, C.T. and T. Ehrlich., Eds. Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector in a Changing America.
Bloomington, IN: Indiana University, 1999.
O'Connell, Brian. America's Voluntary Spirit: A Book of Readings. New York: The Foundation
Center, 1983.
The Pilgrim Fathers
Basic Information
– called themselves 'saints'
– were later (19th century) called Pilgrim Fathers caused by a book by William Bradford named ''History of Plimoth Plantation'' where it says ''They knew they were pilgrims''
– they were puritan Separatists, not accepting the
The Mayflower Compact was a document that was signed on November 21, 1620 aboard the
Mayflower. It was the first document that set principles for the government in the new colony.
41 separatists (men only) of the 101 passengers signed the compact as the earliest document of selfgovernance.
Why the Compact was written
Bad weather conditions forced the Mayflower to anchor in Massachusetts and not in Virginia, which the pilgrims agreed to in a contract with the London Company of Virginia. Since the agreement was not fulfilled some passengers did not want to follow the London Company's rules either but live according to their own rules. They decided to establish their own government in order to maintain order and ensure survival.
The main ideals of the Mayflower Compact
1.Faith and believe in god
2. Loyalty to England and to the King
3. Equality among them
4. Establishing fair and equal laws on which would be built a democratic form of government
The importance of the Mayflower Compact
It is the earliest example of pure democracy. They choose their own leader and have their own laws who all agree on and follow. The decision was based on majority rule and even non-pilgrims were allowed to take part in. This document started the base of the US government and was a blueprint for other groups who came. Without it people in the US would not be able to vote or practice religious freedom.
Clotfelter, C.T. and T. Ehrlich., Eds. Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector in a Changing America.
Bloomington, IN: Indiana University, 1999.
O'Connell, Brian. America's Voluntary Spirit: A Book of Readings. New York: The Foundation
Center, 1983.
The Pilgrim Fathers
Basic Information
– called themselves 'saints'
– were later (19th century) called Pilgrim Fathers caused by a book by William Bradford named ''History of Plimoth Plantation'' where it says ''They knew they were pilgrims''
– they were puritan Separatists, not accepting the