Which document established the first form of self-governance in the American colonies?

The Mayflower Compact is significant because it was the first governing document created by the Pilgrims upon their arrival in North America in 1620. This document established a form of self-governance based on majority rule, highlighting the colonists' desire to create a political structure that would maintain order and ensure collaboration among the settlers. The signers of the Mayflower Compact agreed to form a "civil body politic" for their new colony, establishing a precedent for future democratic governance in the colonies.

The Mayflower Compact served not only as a practical solution to the challenges they faced but also as a foundational moment that underscored the importance of social contract theory in American political thought. It represented a collective agreement among individuals to work together and uphold certain laws and regulations, thus laying the groundwork for self-rule and democratic principles in what would eventually become the United States.