Final answer:
The Mayflower Compact significantly influenced self-government by outlining principles of self-governance and majority rule for the Plymouth Colony (Answer B).
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Mayflower Compact on Self-Government
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was signed by 41 English Colonists on the merchant ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620. This document laid the foundation for self-government in the New World. Regarding the influence of the Mayflower Compact on self-government, the correct answer is B) It outlined principles of self-government and majority rule for the Plymouth Colony.
The Compact represented the Pilgrims' intent to form a community and abide by their own laws and decisions. This principle of self-governance and majority rule was a significant step towards democracy in the colonies. While it did not grant the authority of the Crown, the settlers' intent to self-govern was clear. The Mayflower Compact contributed to the development of representative government, which would become a cornerstone of American political tradition. Although the Compact was not itself a constitution or a detailed system of laws, it established the idea that the settlers intended to rule themselves based on the consent of the governed and through elected representation.
The Mayflower Compact can be seen as the Pilgrims' initial step in forming a political body that would become influential in the conception of American democracy. Moreover, it set a precedent for future colonies and served as an early, influential example of colonial self-governance and the principle of making laws based on the consent of the people.