Simone Lawson
The Pilgrims, a group of religious dissenters called Separatists, fled England for Holland and then America in search of religious freedom. They are known to have established a legal framework for their colony, the Plymouth Colony, in the form of the Pilgrim Code of Law. This code, which emphasised the colony's governance and equal treatment of all colonists, emerged from the Mayflower Compact, a document signed by the Pilgrims upon their arrival in America in 1620. The Mayflower Compact is considered the first constitution-like document in America, setting a precedent for future democratic practices and self-governance in the colonies.
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What You'll Learn
The Mayflower Compact
The Pilgrims, a group of religious dissenters called Separatists, had fled England for Holland, and now sought a new life in America where they could practice their religion freely. The rest of the passengers, referred to as "Strangers" by the Pilgrims, included merchants, craftsmen, skilled workers, indentured servants, and young orphans. The Strangers argued that since they were outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, its rules and regulations no longer applied, and they would use their own liberty.
To prevent this, the Pilgrims established their own government, creating the Mayflower Compact, which was simultaneously based on a majoritarian model and the settlers' allegiance to the king. It was a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the community's rules and regulations for the sake of order and survival. The Compact was written by William Brewster and signed by 41 of the ship's 101 passengers. It was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony and set the foundation for future democratic practices in the colonies.
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Pilgrim Code of Law
The Pilgrim Code of Law was a legal framework established by the Plymouth Colony, founded by Puritan Separatists, or Pilgrims, who sailed from England on the Mayflower in 1620. The code was an evolution of the Mayflower Compact, in which the colonists agreed to form a self-governing body.
The Mayflower Compact was a written agreement signed by nearly all adult male colonists, including two indentured servants, on November 11, 1620. It served as the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, establishing a form of self-government for their new settlement.
The Pilgrim Code of Law, developed as a fluid document, outlined the processes by which laws and ordinances were imposed upon the people of Plymouth. Only freemen were permitted to create the colony's laws, and these laws were to be applied equitably, with fair tax rates for all colonists. The code also specified that laws could only be adopted with the community's consent, reflecting early democratic ideals.
The code described the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, including the governor and his assistants, while also recognizing the authority of the English Crown. Notably, the code omitted any direct reference to religious institutions, which is believed to be a result of the Pilgrims' separation from the Church of England, which they deemed corrupt.
The Pilgrim Code of Law, along with the Mayflower Compact, served as important sources of guidelines for early American colonial governance and contributed to the development of democratic practices in the colonies.
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Self-governance
The Pilgrims, a group of religious dissenters called Separatists, fled England for Holland, seeking a new life in America where they could practice their religion freely. They organised a voyage on the Mayflower, which included about 100 passengers, with only 41 of them being Pilgrims. The rest were "`strangers\"", including merchants, craftsmen, skilled workers, indentured servants, and young orphans.
The Mayflower Compact, signed on November 11, 1620, was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, establishing a form of self-government for the new settlement. It was a social contract, an agreement between the Pilgrims and the "strangers" to ensure everyone in the new colony would abide by the same laws. The Mayflower Compact was a written agreement, composed by William Brewster, and signed by nearly all adult male colonists, including two indentured servants.
The Mayflower Compact emerged from necessity, as the captain of the Mayflower realised they had landed at Cape Cod, outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company. This meant its rules and regulations no longer applied, and a new form of governance was required. The Compact set a precedent for future democratic practices in the colonies, as it continued the idea of law made by the people. It emphasised the colony's self-governance, detailing the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, including the governor and their assistants.
The Pilgrim Code of Law, which evolved from the Mayflower Compact, was the legal framework established by the Plymouth Colony. It was a fluid document, subject to changes and additions throughout the life of the colony. The Code outlined the process by which laws were imposed on the people of Plymouth, stating that only freemen could create the colony's laws. These laws were to be applied fairly, with no class of colonists receiving preferential treatment. The Code also recognised the authority of the English Crown, while omitting any reference to religious institutions, reflecting the Pilgrims' desire for a society free from the corruption they perceived in the Church of England.
The Mayflower Compact and the Pilgrim Code of Law were significant as early examples of self-governance and social contracts, laying the foundation for future democratic practices and influential documents in American history, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
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Religious freedom
The Pilgrims, a group of religious dissenters called Separatists, fled England for Holland in 1608 due to religious persecution. They believed that the Church of England and the Catholic Church had strayed beyond Christ's teachings, establishing rituals and hierarchies that went against the Bible. In Leiden, Holland, they enjoyed religious freedom and built a church around the model of the "ancient church" described in the New Testament.
However, the Pilgrims struggled to adjust to Dutch culture and had difficulty supporting themselves financially. They also worried about the influence of Dutch society on their children. As a result, they decided to leave for America in 1620, seeking a new life where they could practice their religion freely.
The Mayflower Compact, signed by the 41 "true" Pilgrims on November 11, 1620, became the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It established a form of self-government and set a precedent for future democratic practices in the colonies. Notably, the Pilgrim Code of Law, which emerged from the Mayflower Compact, omitted any reference to religion. This reflected the Pilgrims' desire for a society free from the influence of the Church, showcasing their commitment to religious freedom.
The Code outlined a legal system that aimed to ensure equal treatment for all colonists, with provisions for community participation in governance. It described the process by which laws were to be imposed, stipulating that only freemen could create the colony's laws. These laws were to be applied fairly, without any special treatment based on class or status. The Plymouth Colony's government was designed to be open and somewhat democratic, allowing most colonists the opportunity to acquire a position in the colonial government.
While the Pilgrims' journey to America was not solely motivated by religious freedom, it contributed to the broader narrative of religious freedom in the United States. It exemplified the pursuit of a place where individuals could practice their beliefs without persecution. However, it is important to note that the Puritan fathers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony did not tolerate opposing religious views, and religious dissenters within their community were banished or hanged.
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Influence on the US Constitution
The Pilgrims, a group of religious dissenters called Separatists, fled England for Holland to escape religious persecution by the Anglican Church. They eventually sought a new life in America where they could practice their religion freely. The Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 male passengers of the ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620, established a form of self-government for the Plymouth Colony. It is considered the first constitution written in America.
The Mayflower Compact was a legal instrument that bound the Pilgrims together and served as the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It provided a form of government and legislation and set a precedent for the establishment of a democratic government by the consent of the governed. The Compact is also significant as it made no direct reference to religious institutions, reflecting the Pilgrims' desire for a society free from the corruption they perceived in the Church of England.
The Mayflower Compact's influence can be seen in later important documents in United States history, including state constitutions, the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution. It contributed to the creation of a new democratic nation and the powerful idea of self-government. The Compact is also thought to have influenced the philosophy and vision of the founders of the United States, with its emphasis on equalitarianism and the common good.
The Compact's format is similar to the written agreements used by the Pilgrims to establish their Separatist churches in England and Holland, and it is considered a first in consensual government, ensuring that everyone in the new colony would abide by the same laws. The Mayflower Compact's legacy is that it provided a model for future democratic practices in the colonies and informed the drafting of the United States Constitution, demonstrating the enduring influence of the idea of self-government.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mayflower Compact.
The Mayflower Compact was probably composed by William Brewster, who had a university education, and was signed by nearly all the adult male colonists, including two of the indentured servants.
The Mayflower Compact was a legal instrument that bound the Pilgrims together when they arrived in New England. It established a form of self-government for their new settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The Mayflower Compact emphasised the colony's governance, detailing the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, including the governor and assistants, while also recognising the authority of the English Crown. It also ensured equal treatment of all colonists, with provisions for community participation in governance.
The Mayflower Compact laid the foundations for two other revolutionary documents: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It also contributed to the idea of self-government, which became central to the creation of a new democratic nation.
