~ Co-hosted by the Religious Freedom Institute ~

On November 11, 1620, English settlers arrived in the New World seeking religious freedom. But when the Pilgrims landed near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, they quickly realized they needed something more: a document that would make possible a self-governing community. The result was the Mayflower Compact, a social contract and “a covenant” for a new political society. This remarkable document, an early example of democratic self-rule, became a model for the American Founders. Often overlooked is how the Christian beliefs of these Pilgrims—especially their commitment to freedom of conscience—laid the groundwork for later debates about religious freedom in the American colonies. Join us for a lecture and discussion about the origins of religious liberty in America and its enduring importance to our democracy.

The Mayflower Compact: Foundations of Liberty

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Download the Teacher's Guide

Part II: The Mayflower Compact and the Foundations of the Rule of Law

Part III: The Mayflower Compact and the Foundations of Property Rights, Liberty, and Prosperity

Related Essays and Commentaries

• Katharine Gorka - "History Shows Our Passion for Freedom Runs Deep"
• Joseph Loconte - "Resisting the Leviathan: The Mayflower Compact"
• Angela Sailor and Joseph Loconte - "The Mayflower Compact and the Foundations of Religious Liberty"
• Angela Sailor - "How Mayflower Compact Influenced the American Concept of Rule of Law"
• Angela Sailor - "The Mayflower Compact and the Roots of Economic Freedom and Private Property"

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