Importance of the Mayflower Compact essays

Importance of the Mayflower Compact essays At the conclusion of a demanding journey across the Atlantic the Pilgrims, afraid of a possible mutiny between the London and Leyden passengers, drew up the Mayflower Compact before setting foot on land to establish a covenant that would set forth guidelines for a strong government. The Mayflower Compact was important because it allowed the Pilgrims to freely commit as equals to their new society and Jesus Christ, and provided just and equal laws that could be built on, agreed to and enforced. It was significant that the Pilgrims were free men and chose to commit to God and start a Christian community together as equals. After years of suffering in England it was important they start their colony by recognizing God and their unified need to obey Him. The men who drafted the Mayflower Compact clearly showed it would benefit everyone by writing solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends foresaid (Bradford, pg. 75-76 ). Being individuals, and supporting the idea of equality, the Pilgrims shared their assets with others in need so it would benefit everyone, for the good of their whole society. The Mayflower Compact showed the importance of the belief that covenants were between God and man, as well as between man and man. By placing each Pilgrims signature on the covenant it showed their willingness, before God, t o come together and form one political unit, self-governed, for the good of the Colony. The Mayflower Compact was important as a legal document because once written it was agreed upon by all that each member would follow the laws for the good of the community. This is important because the belief was strong that for the government to be valid it must come from the agreement of the governed Colony. Individually, the Pilgrims might not have agree...