Elementary Compact Study

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Elementary Compact Study

Although the Compact is very short, it served as the Constitution of the Pilgrim Colony until Plymouth was merged into the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692 by order of King William III.

Written into this Compact or constitution are the basic ideals of American Democracy as we know it today. These principles of democratic government developed out of the church government, which was initiated by Pastor John Robinson in the Pilgrim Church at Leiden, Holland, while the Pilgrims were in exile. It should be remembered that Pastor Robinson had sent a letter with the Leiden Pilgrims in which he outlined a plan for setting up a new government based on democratic principles. It is conceivable that Pastor Robinson actually authored a part of the text which was incorporated into the final version of the Compact.

Pastor Robinson had hoped to join the Leiden Pilgrims here in the New World, but remained behind with the Leiden congregation. Many members of the church in Holland were not prepared to face the unknowns in a strange new land, and Pastor Robinson died before his dream of coming to the New World was realized.

In all fairness, Pastor John Robinson might conceivable be considered the "Father of American Democracy" even though he was never able to visit the Pilgrim colony at New Plymouth.

MAJOR CONCEPTS IN THE COMPACT

The Compact expresses four major ideas or concepts:

�1. It expresses the deep faith and belief in God and His divine guidance, which was held so dear to the Pilgrim forefathers.
�2. It expresses their deep loyalty to their native England and to the King -- even though they had been persecuted and exiled.
�3. It expresses their mutual regard for one another as equals in the sight of God.
�4. It expresses their intent to establish just and equal laws upon which would be built a truly democratic form of government -- the first in the recorded history of mankind.

THIS DOCUMENT STANDS AS A CORNERSTONE FOR OUR GREAT AMERICAN FORM OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.

John Quincey Adams described The Mayflower Compact as "the first example in modern times of a social compact or system of government instituted by voluntary agreement conformable to the laws of nature, by men of equal rights and about to establish their community in a new country."

It is interesting to note that although the Compact stands for equality, there was still a note of class distinction in the way it was signed. The first men to sign the document were of the elite group who were classed as "citizens," and therefore privileged to the title of "Mr." [The only exception was John Alden, whose name stands seventh]. The first five signers were leaders from the Leiden church. The following seven signers were "strangers" from the elite group with the title of "Mr." The lesser freemen signed next, and then the hired men and servants.

After the signing of the Compact by the men of the Pilgrim company -- and before leaving the Mayflower which was anchored at Cape Cod -- the Pilgrims held their first election in the New World. John Carver was elected Governor. This was America's first democratic election of a leader.

These basic facts have been all but forgotten in the wake of the American Revolution and the leadership of such late-comers as Washington, Jefferson, etc.

PREPARATION FOR STUDY OF THE COMPACT

In preparing the pupils for a study of the Mayflower Compact, it might be a good idea to teach them something of the early 17th century English written forms. After a basic understanding of these forms has been achieved, the pupils might then be able to read the Compact from the copy which has been preserved in William Bradford's handwriting.

The suggested procedure:

�1. Discuss basic 17th century education using the hornbook. Click here for the Hornbook exercise.
�2. Follow this with a study (and possibly practice) of variant forms used in cursive writing. Click here for the Cursive Writing exercise.
�3. Let the pupils practice their skill at reading Bradford's handwriting as found in a short selection from his manuscript of the History of Plymouth Plantation. Click here for the Bradford's Writing exercise.
�4. Read the Compact as written by Bradford. Click here for the Mayflower Compact (original writing) exercise. Compare that to the modern version given here.

It is further suggested that the pupils be given copies of the listing the signers (with symbols indicating which of these passengers died during the first winter). This will serve as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifices which were made in the process of establishing the first democratic colony in America. You might have the pupils count the number of those who died the first winter and compare that to the number of passengers who survived.

Last modified October 7, 1999
by
Webmaster Dave Lossos