Final answer:
The Pilgrims adapted to their change of plans by drafting the Mayflower Compact after landing in Massachusetts instead of Virginia, establishing self-governance. Similar adaptability is also noted in the settlement decisions made at Jamestown.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Pilgrims on the Mayflower found themselves in present-day Massachusetts instead of their intended destination in Virginia, they faced an unexpected situation. Without any charter or title under the authority of the Virginia Company for this new land they named New England, they needed to establish a way to govern themselves. Thus, they adapted their plans by creating the Mayflower Compact, a document that laid the foundation for self-governance and bound them to a common purpose amidst the new challenges. This would be one of the first forms of democratic government to be implemented in what would become the United States.
Moreover, the historical context of such adaptability can also be seen during other events such as the colonists' choice of a marshy area along the James River for the settlement of Jamestown, despite more suitable locations being available. In all cases, these early settlers had to make do with their circumstances, adapt their plans, and take initiative to form stable governments that could handle the unpredictability of establishing a colony far from their home country, England.