What Was the Agreement Among the Pilgrims That Established a Temporary Government?

The Pilgrims, also known as the Separatists, were English Puritans who migrated to North America in 1620. They sailed on a ship called the Mayflower and arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Before disembarking, the Pilgrims signed a document known as the Mayflower Compact, which established a temporary government for their colony.

The Mayflower Compact was written in November 1620 and was based on the principles of democracy and self-government. The Pilgrims realized that they needed to establish a system of government to ensure order and stability in their community. They also recognized that they were outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, which was the authority that had granted them permission to settle in North America.

The Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 adult males, who were the heads of households and represented the majority of the Pilgrims onboard the ship. The document stated that they had voluntarily joined together to form a civil body politic for the purpose of creating laws, ordinances, and constitutions for the general good of the colony.

The Mayflower Compact also declared that the government of the colony would be based on the consent of the governed, which meant that the colonists would have a say in the laws and regulations that were made. It also established a system of elected officials, who would be responsible for enforcing the laws and carrying out the decisions of the colony.

The Mayflower Compact was an important document in the history of the United States because it established the first form of democratic government in North America. It served as a model for other colonies and influenced the writing of the United States Constitution.

In conclusion, the Pilgrims established a temporary government through the signing of the Mayflower Compact. This document was based on the principles of democracy and self-government and established a system of elected officials and laws that were created for the general good of the colony. The Mayflower Compact was an important milestone in the history of the United States and continues to be remembered as a symbol of democracy and liberty.