c) The Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620, was a pioneering document in the development of American democracy. Crafted by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, it was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Created to ensure order and cooperation among a diverse group of settlers, this compact represented an early, collective decision-making process. It set a precedent for self-governance and majority rule in America, laying the groundwork for future democratic principles. Its creation marked a significant moment, where people collectively agreed to govern themselves, embodying the spirit of democracy that would shape the nation.