Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, and the Articles of Confederation

Mayflower March for Independence
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Mayflower March for Independence
1 Introduction
The Mayflower Compact was an important moment in the history of the United States, representing the first steps towards a system of self-government that would become central to the development of American democracy (Anonymous, 2013). The issue of taxation was one of the critical factors that led to the Revolutionary War. The colonists' belief that they should not be subject to taxation without representation reflected their broader demand for greater political autonomy and control over their affairs. The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt to create a government for the newly independent United States. While they achieved some substantial accomplishments, such as the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, they also had significant weaknesses that ultimately led to their failure.
2 Discussion and Analysis
1 Answer 1: Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a historic agreement that established the basis for government in the Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts, USA (Anonymous, 2013). It was signed aboard the Mayflower ship on November 11, 1620, while anchored in Cape Cod Harbor. They were heading for the Virginia Colony initially, but serious natural calamities and stiff weather conditions forced them to move toward the North. The Pilgrims found themselves without any legal basis to establish a government, as they were not in the Virginia Colony, which was the jurisdiction under which they had obtained permission to establish their settlement. The Mayflower Compact was therefore created as a temporary solution to the Pilgrims' legal and governmental issues. It was ratified by the 41 mature men travelers of the Mayflower, who consented to establish a socialist platform for preserving their rights and having better control. The Compact laid out a framework for self-government, with a governor and other officials to be elected by the signatories.
The Mayflower Compact has significant historical significance because it was the first written framework for government in what would become the USA. It established the idea of self-government and the principles of majority rule and social contract, which would later become central to the development of democracy in America (Anonymous, 2013). In particular, the Mayflower Compact represented a significant departure from the hierarchical systems of government that were common in Europe at the time. The Compact established a democratic approach to government, with power being distributed among the people and elected officials.
2 Answer 2: Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War was a pivotal moment in the historical context of America. It was a time of local skirmishes and struggles as the colonists fought to gain independence from British rule. The causes of the War were many and complex, but a critical issue that played a central role in sparking the conflict was the issue of taxation. In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, the British government passed a series of measures that increased taxes on the American protectorates (Thacher, 2022). The planters, however, perceived these taxes as a way to curb their fundamental rights because they had no members present in the British Parliament. The Stamp Act was one of the most significant levies that colonists objected to. This act required that all printed materials in the colonies, such as law papers, print media, and even card playing, occupy a stamp bought from the British government.
The planters saw this tax as a direct violation of their right to free speech, a...