Question #1: Was the Compact, as it is often claimed, the first American constitution? Explain.
Question #1: Was the Compact, as it is often claimed, the first American constitution? Explain.
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Topic: Framing the Mayflower Compact (1620)
Introduction
Leaving Plymouth (England) in the overburdened Mayflower, the plucky band of Pilgrims crossed
the Atlantic. After severe storms and much seasickness, they sighted the Cape Cod coast of
Massachusetts, far to the north of the site to which they had been granted patent privileges by
the Virginia Company. The absence of valid rights in the Plymouth area, so William Bradford
recorded, caused "some of the strangers amongst them" to utter "discontented ond mutinous
speeches" to the effect that when they "came ashore they would use their own liberty; for none
had the power to command them, the patent they had being for Virginia, and not for New
England....
passengers to sign a solemn pledge known as the Mayflower Compact. A constitution is "a
document defining and limiting the Junctions of government." Was the Compact, as is often
claimed, the first American constitution? In what ways did it foreshadow the development of
democratic institutions?
" In an effort to hold the tiny band together, the leaders persuaded forty-one male
Excerpt
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, etc. , having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the
Christian faith, and honor 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 politic, for our
better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and
offices, 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."
Transcribed Image Text:1. 2
.... 3 4
7
Topic: Framing the Mayflower Compact (1620)
Introduction
Leaving Plymouth (England) in the overburdened Mayflower, the plucky band of Pilgrims crossed
the Atlantic. After severe storms and much seasickness, they sighted the Cape Cod coast of
Massachusetts, far to the north of the site to which they had been granted patent privileges by
the Virginia Company. The absence of valid rights in the Plymouth area, so William Bradford
recorded, caused "some of the strangers amongst them" to utter "discontented ond mutinous
speeches" to the effect that when they "came ashore they would use their own liberty; for none
had the power to command them, the patent they had being for Virginia, and not for New
England....
passengers to sign a solemn pledge known as the Mayflower Compact. A constitution is "a
document defining and limiting the Junctions of government." Was the Compact, as is often
claimed, the first American constitution? In what ways did it foreshadow the development of
democratic institutions?
" In an effort to hold the tiny band together, the leaders persuaded forty-one male
Excerpt
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, etc. , having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the
Christian faith, and honor 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 politic, for our
better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and
offices, 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.

Transcribed Image Text:Questions
Question #1: Was the Compact, as it is often claimed, the first American constitution? Explain.
Question #2: In what ways did it foreshadow the development of democratic institutions?
Meaning, how was the Mayflower Compact democrat and what forms of democracy did it
inspire later in the United States? (ex: any documents, laws, systems of government?)
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