The Mayflower CompactThe Mayflower Compact

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The Mayflower CompactThe Mayflower Compact

• November 11, 1620 – a ship called November 11, 1620 – a ship called the the Mayflower Mayflower lands off the coast of lands off the coast of MassachusettsMassachusetts

• The ship carries 102 passengers from The ship carries 102 passengers from England England

PassengersPassengers

• Passengers can be divided into 2 groups:Passengers can be divided into 2 groups: 41 of the 102 passengers are Pilgrims, 41 of the 102 passengers are Pilgrims,

seeking a new life in America where they seeking a new life in America where they could practice their religion as they chosecould practice their religion as they chose

The remaining 2/3 of passengers are a mix The remaining 2/3 of passengers are a mix of common people in search of wealth and of common people in search of wealth and a new life: merchants, craftsmen, workers, a new life: merchants, craftsmen, workers, servants, and young children – the Pilgrims servants, and young children – the Pilgrims refer to these passengers as “strangers”refer to these passengers as “strangers”

How the Voyage Came How the Voyage Came aboutabout

• The Pilgrims had organized the voyage The Pilgrims had organized the voyage and secured the right to settle on land in and secured the right to settle on land in AmericaAmerica

• The Pilgrims had signed a contract to The Pilgrims had signed a contract to share with London stockholders the share with London stockholders the planned profits from the colonyplanned profits from the colony

• The 2/3 of the passengers who were The 2/3 of the passengers who were common people were added to increase common people were added to increase the chance of success of the colonythe chance of success of the colony

Roots of the CompactRoots of the Compact

• The voyage lasts 2 months and covers The voyage lasts 2 months and covers 3,000 miles3,000 miles

• The ship lands far north of its planned The ship lands far north of its planned destination in Virginia – landing instead destination in Virginia – landing instead near present day Cape Codnear present day Cape Cod

• The Pilgrims decide to land here to build The Pilgrims decide to land here to build their community – causing an argument to their community – causing an argument to break out between the Pilgrims and the break out between the Pilgrims and the “strangers” – some dispute exists about “strangers” – some dispute exists about whether landing here was intentional or notwhether landing here was intentional or not

Rebellion BrewingRebellion Brewing

• Many of the “strangers” wanted to Many of the “strangers” wanted to continue on as planned to Virginiacontinue on as planned to Virginia

• Some “strangers” argued that, since the Some “strangers” argued that, since the Cape Cod area was outside of the Cape Cod area was outside of the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, its jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, its rules and regulations no longer appliedrules and regulations no longer applied

• Result: 102 people cut off from any form of Result: 102 people cut off from any form of government and a rebellion brewing government and a rebellion brewing amongst themamongst them

The Mayflower CompactThe Mayflower Compact

• The first record of self-government in The first record of self-government in America is actually derived from necessityAmerica is actually derived from necessity

• The Pilgrims and “Strangers” make a The Pilgrims and “Strangers” make a written agreement to make and obey lawswritten agreement to make and obey laws

• The compact was signed by nearly all of The compact was signed by nearly all of the adult male passengers the adult male passengers

• The opening line of the Compact refers to The opening line of the Compact refers to the passengers as “loyal subjects” of the the passengers as “loyal subjects” of the kingking

The Mayflower CompactThe Mayflower Compact

• Very short and simple document Very short and simple document • It binds the signers into a “Civil Body It binds the signers into a “Civil Body

Politic” for the purpose of passing Politic” for the purpose of passing “just and equal laws…for the general “just and equal laws…for the general good of the colony”good of the colony”

• As simple as it is, it expresses the As simple as it is, it expresses the idea of self-government in America idea of self-government in America for the first timefor the first time

Self-Government takes Self-Government takes ShapeShape

• The signers elect a Pilgrim leader to be The signers elect a Pilgrim leader to be governor of their colony – which they will governor of their colony – which they will call Plymouth Plantationcall Plymouth Plantation

• Each year, the “Civil Body Politic” (all the Each year, the “Civil Body Politic” (all the adult males except the servants) adult males except the servants) assemble to elect the governor and a few assemble to elect the governor and a few assistantsassistants

• William Bradford was re-elected 30 timesWilliam Bradford was re-elected 30 times

Why is it Important?Why is it Important?

• It contains the idea of law made by It contains the idea of law made by people people

• The compact of self-government would The compact of self-government would evolve into the town meetings of New evolve into the town meetings of New England (a format still used today)England (a format still used today)

• Most important to remember: It Most important to remember: It gave America the idea of self-gave America the idea of self-governmentgovernment

Review QuestionsReview Questions

• What 2 groups made up the What 2 groups made up the passengers on the passengers on the MayflowerMayflower??

• What events caused the passengers What events caused the passengers to write and sign the Mayflower to write and sign the Mayflower Compact?Compact?

• What is the most important idea What is the most important idea contained in the Mayflower Compact?contained in the Mayflower Compact?