Why did the 41 men sign the Mayflower Compact?

The 41 men signed the Mayflower Compact to establish a framework for governance and maintain order among the diverse group of settlers aboard the Mayflower after they landed in what is now Massachusetts in November 1620. Facing the challenges of an unfamiliar land and the absence of a formal government, the Compact served as a social contract, creating a collective agreement to follow the laws and regulations enacted by their chosen leaders for the sake of survival and communal harmony. This document is often seen as a foundational step towards self-governance in the New World.