What Agreement Did the Pilgrims Signed What Did This Agreement Do

The Pilgrims who arrived on the shores of present-day Massachusetts in 1620 were a group of Puritan separatists who sought religious freedom. They travelled on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony, which would eventually become a cornerstone in American history.

One of the lesser-known but significant moments in their journey was the signing of the Mayflower Compact. This agreement, written and signed aboard the Mayflower on November 11, 1620, established a basic form of government for the new colony.

The Mayflower Compact was a document that laid out the rules and regulations for the government of the new colony. It was an agreement among the settlers to establish a civil body politic and to obey its laws for the betterment of the colony.

The compact was necessary because the Pilgrims landed outside of the boundaries of the Virginia Company`s charter, which granted them the right to establish settlements in present-day Virginia. This meant that the Pilgrims were technically outside the jurisdiction of any existing government and could establish their own laws and regulations.

The Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 adult male passengers, including both Pilgrims and non-Pilgrims. It established that the colonists would form a civil government and pledged their loyalty to that government. The compact also provided a framework for the colonists to work together for the common good.

This document was significant because it was one of the earliest examples of self-government in North America. It laid the foundation for the idea of democratic government, which would become a cornerstone of American political philosophy.

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In conclusion, the Mayflower Compact was a seminal moment in the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. This agreement among the settlers to form a civil government was a significant step towards self-government and democracy in North America. It is a testament to the early settlers` commitment to working together for the common good and a foundational moment in American history.