The Pilgrims and Puritans set out to create a temporary set of laws (the Mayflower Compact) for ruling themselves as per majority agreement when they travelled to the New World to quell dissent in the ranks while establishing a colony.
The Mayflower Compact was an early and successful attempt at democracy. It definitely played a role in decisions made by future colonists seeking permanent independence from British rule and in shaping the nation that eventually became known as the United States of America.
