The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, primarily benefited the early settlers of Plymouth Colony. This agreement established a framework for self-governance and created a social contract among the colonists. By agreeing to work together for the common good, the signers ensured that they could create laws and elect leaders to manage their new community.
Additionally, the Compact offered a form of political stability and order that was crucial for survival in the New World. Its emphasis on fraternity and equal voices among the settlers reinforced a sense of unity and shared purpose, which helped them face the challenges of settling in an unfamiliar environment.
In a broader sense, the Mayflower Compact laid the groundwork for future democratic governance in America. It inspired later documents and movements that emphasized self-rule and the consent of the governed, ultimately influencing the development of American democracy. Thus, while the immediate beneficiaries were the Pilgrims themselves, the Compact’s legacy extends well beyond its time and place.