What impact did the Mayflower Compact have on modern government understanding in the U.S.?

The Mayflower Compact is significant because it introduced the idea that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, laying a foundational principle for future democratic governance in the United States. The Compact was an agreement made by the Pilgrims in 1620, establishing a form of self-government and ensuring that all members of their community would have a say in the rules and policies that governed them.

By suggesting that government should provide equal protection under the law, the Mayflower Compact contributed to the evolving understanding of fairness and justice in governance. This principle is echoed in later documents, such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which strive to ensure that all individuals are treated equally by the law.

While the other options touch upon various aspects of government, they do not accurately capture the essence of what the Mayflower Compact represented. It did not specifically call for independence from Britain, establish federalism, or eliminate the need for laws, but rather laid the groundwork for principles that advocate for equal rights and the representation of the citizenry in governance. This emphasis on equality and representation has become a cornerstone of American democratic values.