Why did the Mayflower Compact matter to American colonists?

The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, was significant because it established a framework for self-governance in the New World. This agreement created a form of social contract, emphasizing the principles of majority rule and collective decision-making. It laid the groundwork for future democratic governance in America, influencing later constitutional frameworks and reinforcing the idea of government based on the consent of the governed. Ultimately, it marked a crucial step toward democratic principles that would shape the nation.