1. Lack of centralized authority: The Pilgrims were originally from England, a country with a well-established monarchy and government structure. As a group of religious dissenters, they did not have access to the same level of political power or resources to create a government before leaving. Additionally, the Pilgrims did not have a single leader or authority figure among themselves, which made it difficult to establish a unified government structure.
2. Uncertain conditions in the New World: The Pilgrims were venturing into unknown territory and were unsure about the conditions they would encounter in the New World. They did not have prior knowledge about the specific challenges they would face, such as the harsh weather, unfamiliar land, and potential conflicts with Native American tribes. As a result, it would have been impractical for them to create a government without having a clear understanding of the context in which it would operate. The Mayflower Compact, created once they had arrived in Massachusetts, provided a framework for self-governance and collaboration in the new settlement.
The Pilgrims created the Mayflower Compact when they were anchored off the shore of Massachusetts.
Why did they not create a government before leaving England?
(2 points)
1 answer