The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, holds historical relevance as one of the first governing documents in the American colonies. It established a framework for self-governance, laying the groundwork for democratic principles that would influence future American political systems. The Compact was a social contract, wherein the signers agreed to create a "civil body politic" for better ordering and preservation of their community. This early exercise in participatory government emphasized the importance of collective decision-making and majority rule, serving as a foundational moment for the development of democracy in America and influencing subsequent constitutional frameworks.