What was the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was drafted by the pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. It was signed on November 11, 1620 in what is now Provincetown Harbor near Cape Cod. Having settled at Plymouth (thus named by Captain John Smith earlier), the pilgrims recognized that their land was outside the chartered territory of the London Company. Thus, the Mayflower Compact was signed to establish a civil government based upon a majoritarian model and to proclaim the settlers' allegiance to the king. The compact was referred to by John Quincy Adams as the foundation of the Constitution of the United States, but he was speaking figuratively, not literally.

The settlers were well aware that earlier settlements in the New World had failed due to a lack of central leadership, and the Mayflower Compact was essentially a social contract in which the settlers agreed to abide by the rules of the government for the sake of their own survival. The government, in return, would derive its power from the consent of the governed.

The original document was lost, but the transcriptions in Mourt's Relation and William Bradford's journal Of Plymouth Plantation are in agreement and accepted as accurate.

TH E MAYFLOWER COMPACT (1620)

In the name of God Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, defender of faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to p;lant the first colony in the northern parts of Virgina. Do by these

First answer by Ranger22. Last edit by Catpaw01. Contributor trust: 84 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 23 [recommend question]