The Mayflower Compact
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Goal:
Goal:
 |
The 5W's of the Mayflower Compact
What is this document?
The Mayflower Compact created laws to govern the Plymouth Colony. 
When was it signed?
It was signed on November 11, 1620. 
Who signed it?
Forty-one men who were on the ship the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact. 
Why was this document written?
The Pilgrims left England with permission from the king. While waiting for a new contract from the king to settle in the New World, they wrote the Mayflower Compact to keep order in the colony.
Why is this an important historical document?
This was the first self-governing document written in America. Many historians also believe the Mayflower Compact influenced the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Read the words on the next screen and see if you agree. (Remember that spelling and language were different four hundred years ago.) In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Codd the 11. of November, in the year of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King James, of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620. |
 |