United States History Student Edition

The English had explored the northern part of the Atlantic Coast and named it New England. Because Plymouth was outside the territory of the Virginia Company’s charter, its laws did not apply. While they were still onboard ship, the Pilgrims signed a document they called the Mayflower Compact. This document set up an organized, orderly government. Each signer promised to obey the laws passed “for the general good of the colony.” The Mayflower Compact was a key step in the development of representative, democratic government in America. “ We, whose names are underwritten. . . . Having undertaken . . . a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, . . . covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick,

for our better Ordering and Preservation, . . . 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. ” —from the Mayflower Compact, 1620 Pilgrims and Native Americans The Pilgrims arrived woefully unprepared for life in such a wild and natural setting. They had few skills related to hunting or farming. During their first winter in America, almost half the Pilgrims died of illness, hunger, and cold.

constitution document stating the basic form and rules of a government

The Mayflower

The Mayflower carried 102 passengers on its two-month voyage to America. 1. Analyzing Visuals How would you describe the conditions under which the passengers lived? 2. Inferring Why might the Pilgrims have been willing to endure these conditions for months?

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1. Most of the crew slept in tiny cabins in the forecastle , which also served as the ship’s kitchen. 2. The Mayflower was built as a supply ship, not a passenger ship. The Pilgrims slept and stayed mainly on the gun deck , also called ‘ tween decks .

3. The main hold held most of the ship’s food, supplies, and tools. 4. The helmsman steered the ship using a lever called the whipstaff , which moved the rudder from side to side. 5. The great cabin was the ship commander’s quarters.

TEXT: The Federal and State Constitutions: Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming The United States of America, VOL. III, compiled and edited under the Act of Congress of June 30, 1906 by Francis Newton Thorpe, Ph.D., LL.D.. Copyright © 1909 by Washington Government Printing Office.

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