The Mayflower Compact

Pilgrim Life: 5th Grade The Mayflower Compact

Charter: The creation of early American government.

The colonists lived on the Mayflower while they were building homes and other structures in Plymouth. It became clear that in order for the colony to survive, they needed some order and basic rules for life. Debate and discussions among the Pilgrims ensued aboard the Mayflower. From this debate came an agreement. One that formed, “…association and agreement…to combine together in one body”. This meant that they would form a localized and independent government agreement we call the Mayflower Compact.

The colonists wanted to establish their own colony. Separate, but still under the rule of England. Understanding this, they had originally been permitted to settle in an already established area, the Jamestown colony. Jamestown had its own governing system the colonists would have followed if the journey had gone as planned. Since they were in a completely new area, they could establish the laws and rules they wanted.

Historic Jamestown is home to the ruins of the first permanent English settlement in North America. It includes the remains of the 18th-century Ambler Mansion. Artifacts from the region’s settlers are on display in the local archaeology museum.

Although brief, the Mayflower Compact expressed the idea of self-government for the first time in the New World. This marked the start of the early American government.

The creation of a charter in the New World.

1

When the colonists first landed in the New World, they did not have a charter or “patent” permitting them to create a settlement in the area. A charter was a document the British government issued that said a colony could legally settle in an area and establish a set of local laws to govern the area. A patent is a document stating the colony could have land, but they were not allowed to set up their own system of laws and must follow the king’s laws.

Since the colonists had originally planned to settle in Jamestown, they did not need a charter or patent.
When the storm blew them off course, and they landed in Plymouth, the colonists quickly realized they needed to establish a set of laws if the colony had any chance of survival.

2

Before departing the Mayflower, the colonists wrote an agreement that would govern or guide them. In this agreement, they formalized an oath to establish “just and equal laws.” Every adult man on the Mayflower signed the agreement. This “compact” created laws for the colonists to follow to work together for the good of their new colony.

3

The Mayflower leaders knew that colony survival would depend on order. Since there was no authority or government over them, laws must be established. They needed a code of laws for the general good of the colony. They referred to this as a “civil body politic” and used this term for the government they would establish in the new world.

4

Officially, the Mayflower Compact was created and signed on board the Mayflower in November 1620. In this document, the (now) colonists agreed to live by majority rule until a permanent government was established. Majority rule means that the option with the most votes is chosen. This criterion could be easily met as there were only 100 people in the colony. Forty-one men signed the document, which was called the Mayflower Compact.

The colonists elected John Carver to be the first governor of Plymouth Plantation in the year 1620.

John Carver had shown his leadership before and during the Mayflower voyage. He had helped find funding for the journey itself and may have been one of the original authors of the Mayflower Compact.

John Carver survived the first brutal winter in Plymouth but died in April 1621.

The colonists elected William Bradford to serve as the second governor.

Bradford was a strong leader, and Plymouth Colony thrived during his time as governor. Bradford served as governor for a remarkable 30 years.

Let’s take a moment to reflect.

Today, local governments and government practices similar to the one created by the Mayflower Compact can be found throughout America. For example, Plymouth Colony held a yearly election court, where the colonists gathered to vote for the governor and the assistants, as well as discuss pertinent town business.

Your city and county hold regular meetings where they vote on issues impacting your community and debate ways to make life better for all citizens. The people in these meetings making decisions are elected by all of the voters in the community who are ages 18+.

“Let it not grieve you that you have been instruments to break the ice for others, who come after with less difficulty; the honor shall be yours to the world’s end.”

– English Investors whom the Pilgrims signed a contract with agreeing to work for seven years in exchange for ships and supplies for their journey to the New World.

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