1620 The Mayflower Compact November 11 1620 a ship called the Mayflower lands off the coast of Massachusetts The ship carries 102 passengers from England Passengers Passengers can be divided into 2 groups ID: 461142
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The Mayflower Compact
1620Slide2
The Mayflower CompactNovember 11, 1620 – a ship called the Mayflower lands off the coast of MassachusettsThe ship carries 102 passengers from England Slide3
PassengersPassengers can be divided into 2 groups: 41 of the 102 passengers are Pilgrims, seeking a new life in America where they could practice their religion as they chose The remaining 2/3 of passengers are a mix of common people in search of wealth and a new life: merchants, craftsmen, workers, servants, and young children – the Pilgrims refer to these passengers as “strangers”Slide4
How the Voyage Came aboutThe Pilgrims had organized the voyage and secured the right to settle on land in AmericaThe Pilgrims had signed a contract to share with London stockholders the planned profits from the colonyThe 2/3 of the passengers who were common people were added to increase the chance of success of the colonySlide5
Roots of the CompactThe voyage lasts 2 months and covers 3,000 milesThe ship lands far north of its planned destination in Virginia – landing instead near present day Cape CodThe Pilgrims decide to land here to build their community – causing an argument to break out between the Pilgrims and the “strangers” – some dispute exists about whether landing here was intentional or notSlide6
Rebellion BrewingMany of the “strangers” wanted to continue on as planned to VirginiaSome “strangers” argued that, since the Cape Cod area was outside of the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, its rules and regulations no longer appliedResult: 102 people cut off from any form of government and a rebellion brewing amongst themSlide7
The Mayflower CompactThe first record of self-government in America is actually derived from necessityThe Pilgrims and “Strangers” make a written agreement to make and obey lawsThe compact was signed by nearly all of the adult male passengers The opening line of the Compact refers to the passengers as “loyal subjects” of the kingSlide8
The Mayflower CompactVery short and simple document It binds the signers into a “Civil Body Politic” for the purpose of passing “just and equal laws…for the general good of the colony”As simple as it is, it expresses the idea of self-government in America for the first timeSlide9
Self-Government takes ShapeThe signers elect a Pilgrim leader to be governor of their colony – which they will call Plymouth PlantationEach year, the “Civil Body Politic” (all the adult males except the servants) assemble to elect the governor and a few assistantsWilliam Bradford was re-elected 30 timesSlide10
Why is it Important?It contains the idea of law made by people The compact of self-government would evolve into the town meetings of New England (a format still used today)Most important to remember: It gave America the idea of self-governmentSlide11
Review QuestionsWhat 2 groups made up the passengers on the Mayflower?What events caused the passengers to write and sign the Mayflower Compact?What is the most important idea contained in the Mayflower Compact?