Mayflower Compact Case

Jantz Snedeker

Matthew Greider

History of the U.S.

2 September 2015

Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 colonists on the vessel Mayflower and was the first written framework of government in the new world. The compact was conscripted to prevent conflict amongst separatist and non-separatist Pilgrims who arrived at Cape Cod. This provided the foundation for the ideals in the new world.

During the sixteenth century, England’s population grew dramatically and caused an economic crisis. Thousands flooded into cities looking for work which in return, caused wages to drop and prices on goods to rise. England also was heavily involved in religious persecution which brought forth many battles and unhappy subjects. The new world provided an escape from the dark world of the pilgrims, and on September 6, 1620, the pilgrims set sail for a better life.

Just offshore of Cape Cod, the heads of the separatist were outraged to find that some of the other passengers felt no obligation to follow the ideals of the separatist party. The Leaders of Pilgrim and non-Pilgrim families consequently created a compact that bound all signers to consent to the form of government put in place onshore. Before going ashore, the adult males on the mayflower were forced to sign the compact on November 11, 1620.

The most influential person behind the compact was William Bradford. William was the leader of the Plymouth government system; managed finances, court system, correspondence with other colonies and stockholders, policy construction and was heavily involved in the administration and success of the entire colony. William's exceptional record keeping skills are the main reason we know so much about the Plymouth colony.

The mayflower compact followed both of the ideals of the pilgrims and puritans. The pilgrim’s manuscript involved Christianity in the governmental system. Pilgrims also forced everyone aboard the vessel to obey the separatist religious ideals. Puritans developed their government from ideals directly from the bible. As well as forcing colonists to follow their beliefs. Obviously, the religious views of both parties were very influential in every aspect of their lives and neither party had tolerance of any other views.