Question

Question 4

We whose names are underwritten ... do by these presents

solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of

another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil

Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and

Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact,

constitute and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts,

Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought

most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony;

unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.

-Mayflower Compact, 1620

For what reason did a group of colonists agree to this compact?

Answer 1

To form a social contract among themselves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The above mentioned declaration is known as the Mayflower Compact of 1620.

The Mayflower compact was a document signed on a boat on the 11th of November, 1620 by forty-one (41) males of the one hundred and two (102) passengers on board while the boat was anchored in Provincetown Harbor (Cape Cod) due to the effect of turbulent storm. The document derived its name from the English ship known as Mayflower which was heading to Plymouth, Massachusetts due to storms and treacherous shoals rather than its original destination, which was the Colony of Virginia.

The Mayflower compact was a document which established a social contract and "rule of law" in order to make the pilgrims and non-pilgrims (strangers) remain loyal to King James 1, foster Christianity (Christian faith) and for the overall good of the colony.

In the Colonial Era, developments such as the New England town meetings, establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact represented steps in the growth of representative democracy rather than the type of government they were experiencing under the British Crown.

Basically, the Mayflower Compact is important to the concept of a democratic society because it represents a clear step toward self-government. Also, they're all efforts of colonial Americans to use democratic processes in government.

Hence, the reason for which a group of colonists agree to this compact is to form a social contract among themselves.