1. Mayflower Compact

2. Before We Begin… …a couple of key terms
Puritans: wanted to reform the Anglican church. “purify”
Separatists: Wanted to leave the Anglican church and set up their own churches
Pilgrims = Separatists
Strangers: common people who hoped to find a better life in America: servants, craftspeople, and poor farmers

3. Background: Mayflower originally bound for Virginia
Storms forced the Mayflower to land at the hook of Cape Cod in modern day Massachusetts
Because their settlement would not be in Virginia some passengers (mainly those that are considered the “strangers) decided that they could do whatever they want since no one had authority to “command” them.
To prevent this other colonists set up a government
And so, the Mayflower Compact was created.

4. Overview: Mayflower Compact is a social contract
Settlers agreed to follow compacts rules and regulations in order to survive
Mayflower Compact is based on a majoritarian model and allegiance to the king.
Majoritarian Model: a traditional political philosophy which asserts that a majority of the population is entitled to a certain degree of primacy in society and has the right to make decisions that affect the society.
What does this mean for the Mayflower Compact?
The pilgrims/seperatists declared themselves the majority
The pilgrims/seperatists were allowed to make decisions for the whole society

5. What the Mayflower Compact Says:
Original Text
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.
Helpful Notes:
Declares their loyalty to the king
“dread:” old-fashion use of the word, means “awe” or “reverence.”
States purpose of starting colony:
For Glory of God
Advance Christian Faith
Honor King and Country
Declares to establish a “civil body politic”
a type of democratic government
Only male seperatisits/pilgrims