Final answer:
The Pilgrims' landing outside their London Company charter led them to draft the Mayflower Compact, a self-governing agreement that set a precedent for democracy and community rule, influencing future governance in New England.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Pilgrims' Landing Outside the Virginia Company Charter
When the Pilgrims landed at a site that was outside the jurisdiction of their London Company charter, specifically north of the Virginia colony and in the area named New England by John Smith, they found themselves without an official charter to govern them. As a result, they drafted the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact was a significant document as it represented an agreement for self-government, effectively declaring that the Pilgrims would rule themselves according to the consensus of the group. This was a practical response to their situation but also set a crucial precedent.
Moreover, the establishment of the Plymouth Colony under the Mayflower Compact had profound implications. It not only provided the initial governance structure for the colony but also set an example of self-rule and democracy that would influence the governance of other colonies in New England. The compact emphasized the community's commitment to a direct democracy and reflected the will of the people. Massachusetts later became a royal colony, but the tradition of self-governance and town meetings in New England stems in large part from the precedent set by the Pilgrims at Plymouth.