The Mayflower Compact was a written agreement signed by 41 male colonists on November 11, 1620, aboard the Mayflower while the ship was anchored in Cape Cod Bay. The Compact established a civil body politic for the Plymouth Colony, which was the first colony established in New England.
The three main reasons for establishing the new colony, as stated in the Mayflower Compact, were:
1. **To glorify God and advance the Christian faith.** The Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower were seeking religious freedom from persecution in England. They hoped to establish a new colony where they could worship freely and practice their religion without fear.
2. **To honor King James I of England.** The Pilgrims remained loyal to King James, even though they were leaving England to seek religious freedom. They wanted to establish a colony that would be beneficial to England and its king.
3. **To establish a just and orderly society.** The Pilgrims wanted to create a colony where everyone would be treated fairly and where the laws would be upheld. They hoped to establish a society that would be a model for other colonies and for the world.
The Mayflower Compact was a significant document in American history. It was one of the first documents to establish a self-governing body in the New World. It also set a precedent for religious freedom and democracy in the United States.