Which agreement is considered a forerunner to the written constitution in America?

The Mayflower Compact is regarded as a forerunner to the written constitution in America because it was one of the first formal agreements that established a self-governing colony based on the consent of the governed. Signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, this document laid the groundwork for a system of government among the settlers of Plymouth Colony. It introduced the idea of collective decision-making and majority rule, which are essential principles that would later be reflected in the U.S. Constitution.

This early compact displayed the colonists' commitment to create a government that derived its authority from the people rather than from a monarch, showcasing a shift towards democratic governance. The significance of the Mayflower Compact lies in its role as a foundational document that influenced later constitutional developments in America, highlighting the importance of written agreements as a basis for governance. Other choices, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Articles of Confederation, followed the Mayflower Compact and were more formal in outlining government structure, but they emerged later in the historical timeline.