The **Mayflower Compact** was established in **1620** as a foundational document by English settlers seeking order and governance in the New World. Aimed at creating a self-governing colony, it outlined principles based on **majority rule** and mutual consent among settlers. This agreement marked an early form of democratic governance and emphasized **collective responsibility** and community welfare. By signing the compact, settlers committed to work together for the common good, thereby establishing a precedent for future governance structures in America. It represented a critical step towards the development of constitutional democracy.