Difference between revisions of "Mayflower Compact"
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They agreed to the first social contract in America, with the settlers consenting to abide by the rules of this Mayflower Compact. The Compact derived its power from the consent of the governed. This contract proclaimed the allegiance of settlers to the king while establishing a majoritarian form of government. | They agreed to the first social contract in America, with the settlers consenting to abide by the rules of this Mayflower Compact. The Compact derived its power from the consent of the governed. This contract proclaimed the allegiance of settlers to the king while establishing a majoritarian form of government. | ||
| + | [[category:United States History]] | ||
Revision as of 03:45, April 12, 2007
The Mayflower Compact was the first document establishing a government in America, signed on November 21, 1620 to govern the Plymouth Colony (near Cape Cod today).
The Pilgrims had sailed off course, having originally intended to land much closer to Virginia. Arriving instead much further north in uncharted territory outside the jurisdiction of the London Company, they realized that they needed to govern themselves.
They agreed to the first social contract in America, with the settlers consenting to abide by the rules of this Mayflower Compact. The Compact derived its power from the consent of the governed. This contract proclaimed the allegiance of settlers to the king while establishing a majoritarian form of government.