Which agreement, signed by 41 men on the Mayflower, was the first for self-government in America?

The Mayflower Compact is recognized as the first agreement for self-government in America, signed in 1620 by 41 male passengers aboard the Mayflower. This document was significant because it established a framework for governance and community cooperation among the settlers in the newly founded Plymouth Colony. The signers agreed to create and abide by their own laws for the good of the colony, which was a radical shift from the traditional rule by a monarch.

The Mayflower Compact emphasized principles such as majority rule and the consent of the governed, which have had a lasting impact on the development of democratic practices in the United States. Its creation marked a pivotal moment in American history as it set a precedent for future democratic governance.

Other agreements mentioned, such as the Petition of Rights and the English Bill of Rights, while important in the context of establishing limits on government authority in England, do not relate directly to the practice of self-governance by settlers in America. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the colonies' separation from British rule but was enacted later and did not establish a governing framework for the colonists at that time. Thus, the Mayflower Compact stands out as the foundational document for self-governance among European settlers in America.