The Pilgrims created the Mayflower Compact when they were anchored off the shore of Massachusetts.
Why did they not create a government before leaving England?
(2 points)
1. Lack of centralized authority: The Pilgrims were originally from England, a country with a well-established monarchy and government structure. As a group of religious dissenters, they did not have access to the same level of political power or resources to create a government before leaving. Additionally, the Pilgrims did not have a single leader or authority figure among themselves, which made it difficult to establish a unified government structure.
2. Uncertain conditions in the New World: The Pilgrims were venturing into unknown territory and were unsure about the conditions they would encounter in the New World. They did not have prior knowledge about the specific challenges they would face, such as the harsh weather, unfamiliar land, and potential conflicts with Native American tribes. As a result, it would have been impractical for them to create a government without having a clear understanding of the context in which it would operate. The Mayflower Compact, created once they had arrived in Massachusetts, provided a framework for self-governance and collaboration in the new settlement.
The Pilgrims did not create a government before leaving England for a couple of reasons:
1. Lack of authority: The Pilgrims were religious separatists who did not conform to the Church of England. As a result, they did not have the support or recognition of the English authorities. This lack of authority made it difficult for them to establish a recognized and legitimate government.
2. Uncertain destination: When the Pilgrims first set sail, their original intention was to settle in Virginia. However, due to navigational difficulties and harsh weather conditions, they ended up landing in present-day Massachusetts instead. The uncertainty of their destination likely made it challenging for them to have a concrete plan or form of government in place beforehand.
As a result, the Pilgrims chose to create the Mayflower Compact upon their arrival in Massachusetts as a temporary measure to establish order and government among themselves. The compact was a social contract that laid out the rules and guidelines for the new settlement, ensuring that decisions would be made collectively and in the best interest of the community. While it was not a full-fledged government, the Mayflower Compact provided a foundation for self-governance and was an important step towards the establishment of democratic principles in the New World.