Essential Facts
- The Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620 by 41 male colonists, including indentured servants.
- The Compact established self-governance through majority rule.
- It affirmed the colonists’ loyalty to King James I while allowing religious freedom.
- The Compact established a legal framework for the Pilgrim Fathers and the Plymouth Colony.
- John Carver was elected as the first Governor of Plymouth Colony under the Mayflower Compact, making him the first democratically elected official in America.
- The Compact established democratic principles that are found in many American government documents.
- The original copy of the Mayflower Compact has been lost. Three versions exist, including one hand-written by William Bradford.
Key Dates
- 1620, September 9 — The Mayflower arrived off the coast of Cape Cod, carrying the Pilgrims, who referred to themselves as “Saints,” and other colonists, whom the Pilgrims called “Strangers.”
- 1620, November 11 — Before leaving the ship, the leaders of the Saints and Strangers agreed to a government outlined in the Mayflower Compact. It was drafted and signed by 41 men, establishing self-rule.
- 1686 — Plymouth Colony was merged into the Dominion of New England, interrupting its independence.
- 1689 — Following the collapse of the Dominion, Plymouth resumed its government under the Mayflower Compact.
- 1691 — Plymouth was merged with Massachusetts.
- 18th Century — The Compact’s principles influenced the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the United States Constitution.
Significance
The Mayflower Compact is important to American History because it was the first governing document in America written by colonists. It established a democratic system of government for the Plymouth Colony based on the majority vote of the settlers.
History
The Pilgrims descended from a group of “religious dissenters” based in Scrooby, England, who “separated” from the Church of England. Known as “Separatists,” they were harassed for their religious beliefs and fled to the Netherlands, where they enjoyed religious freedom. At first, they settled in Amsterdam but moved to Leiden, where they lived for over a decade.
- Over time, they became concerned that Holland’s liberal attitudes were influencing their children to move away from the church and their English roots.
- Although some of the group’s leaders were wealthy and successful, many of them struggled economically because they were unable to join the Trade Guilds. They were relegated to menial jobs that paid low wages.
- To preserve their religious practices and English identity, they decided to relocate to the New World.
Separatists — The Separatists were a faction of Puritans who decided to completely separate from the Church of England instead of trying to reform it from within.
Scrooby Congregation — The Separatist congregation in Scrooby, England, was led by John Robinson. After suffering harassment from English officials, the congregation decided to leave England. At the time, it was illegal to leave the country without the permission of the King, so they had to escape. Over two years (1607–1609), they made their way to Amsterdam but moved to Leiden in 1609.
Leiden — The Pilgrims lived in Leiden, Netherlands, for almost 12 years. There are many landmarks, memorials, and sculptures dedicated to the Pilgrims throughout the city.
Virginia Company of London — In 1619, the Virginia Company of London granted the Separatists a charter, permitting them to settle at the mouth of the Hudson River, at the site of present-day New York City.
Lack of Government
The Pilgrims endured a difficult Atlantic crossing aboard the Mayflower. When the ship finally reached the New World, they realized they were off course and further north than they were supposed to be.
- They had permission to settle at the mouth of the Hudson River, near present-day New York City, but were unable to sail south due to the weather.
- The leaders decided they had to settle in off the coast, in the Cape Cod area.
- According to William Bradford’s account, “several strangers made discontented and mutinous speeches.”
Rules of Governance
The leaders of both factions created the Mayflower Compact to establish rules for governing the colony they intended to establish.
- The Mayflower Compact served as the official constitution of Plymouth Colony.
- It remained in effect until Plymouth merged with the Dominion of New England and, later, Massachusetts.
- It is considered the first American state paper and an early statement of democratic principles.
- It marked the first time in world history that men voluntarily agreed to self-governance based on majority rule, without a monarch.
Key Themes
- The Mayflower Compact reflected a deep faith in God and belief in His divine guidance.
- The Compact expressed loyalty to England and the King, despite the persecution the Pilgrims had faced in the past.
- It emphasized mutual equality, viewing all signers as equals before God.
- The Compact committed to the colonists to establishing just and equal laws as the foundation for a democratic government.
The Mayflower Compact and Its Signers
The men aboard the Mayflower, including indentured servants, signed the Mayflower Compact. In doing so, the signers agreed to follow laws created and approved by the male members of the colony.
- The document established self-governance based on mutual agreement.
- Women were not allowed to participate in the governing process.
The Mayflower passengers were not wealthy or of high social status. They came from different backgrounds and religious beliefs.
- The passengers were divided between Saints, Strangers, and crew members.
- It is believed there were 102 passengers when the Mayflower left England.
- Differences of opinion and conflicts were expected among the settlers due to their different backgrounds.
- With no higher authority to appeal to, the leaders proposed the Mayflower Compact to ensure unity.
- The Compact required all signers to submit to a government chosen by common consent.
Signing the Mayflower Compact and Electing a Leader
- After completing the Mayflower Compact, the passengers gathered to hear it read aloud.
- Once signed, the signers became legal voters in the colony.
- They immediately held an election to choose a Governor.
- John Carver, one of the Saints, was chosen, making him America’s first democratically elected public official.
Constitutional Liberty and Loyalty to the King of England
The Pilgrims believed in God and the equality of all men before Him. With the Compact, they established legal equality for all men, which was an unprecedented concept at the time.
- Many historians view this as the beginning of “constitutional liberty” in America.
- Constitutional Liberties are defined as fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution. Today, these are found in the U.S. Bill of Rights.
- The Mayflower Compact influenced the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution.
The Mayflower Compact affirmed King James I as the lawful sovereign. Although the King was also the head of the Church of England, the Pilgrims believed religion was a matter of individual choice.
- Despite the focus on democratic ideals, the governments of Plymouth and other New England Colonies were dominated by religious leaders.
- After the Plymouth Colony succeeded, thousands of Puritans followed, leading to the establishment of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Appendix
Original Document
The original copy of the Mayflower Compact has been lost. However, three versions of the text have survived, dating to the 17th Century. Each version is essentially the same.
- Mourt’s Relation — Written between November 1620 and November 1621, it documents the first year of the Plymouth Colony. It is believed that it was written by Edward Winslow and William Bradford. It includes the Mayflower Compact and a description of the First Thanksgiving. Bradford wrote the portion of Mourt’s Relation that includes the Compact.
- Of Plymouth Plantation — A hand-written journal kept by William Bradford.
- New England’s Memorial — Printed by Nathanial Morton, William Bradford’s nephew, in 1669.
Mayflower Compact Text
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 the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.
- AHC Note — This text is from The Federal and State Constitutions Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming the United States of America, published by the Government Printing Office in 1909.
Signers of the Mayflower Compact
- Mr. John Carver
- Mr. William Bradford
- Mr Edward Winslow
- Mr. William Brewster
- Isaac Allerton
- Myles Standish
- John Alden
- John Turner
- Francis Eaton
- James Chilton
- John Craxton
- John Billington
- Joses Fletcher
- John Goodman
- Mr. Samuel Fuller
- Mr. Christopher Martin
- Mr. William Mullins
- Mr. William White
- Mr. Richard Warren
- John Howland
- Mr. Steven Hopkins
- Digery Priest
- Thomas Williams
- Gilbert Winslow
- Edmund Margesson
- Peter Brown
- Richard Britteridge
- George Soule
- Edward Tilly
- John Tilly
- Francis Cooke
- Thomas Rogers
- Thomas Tinker
- John Ridgdale
- Edward Fuller
- Richard Clark
- Richard Gardiner
- Mr. John Allerton
- Thomas English
- Edward Doten
- Edward Liester
AP US History Alignment
The Mayflower Compact is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
Unit 1: 1491–1607
- 1.2 — Native American Societies Before European Contact
- 1.3 — European Exploration in the Americas
- 1.6 — Cultural Interactions Between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans
