What document did the Pilgrims sign that stated political authority flows from the people?

The Mayflower Compact is significant because it represents one of the earliest forms of self-governance in the New World and establishes the principle that political authority derives from the consent of the governed. Signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, the document outlined a framework for governing their new settlement based on majority rule and mutual agreement among the settlers.

This idea of government by the consent of the people is a foundational concept in American democracy, contrasting with other governing documents where authority might be derived from monarchs or external entities. The emphasis in the Mayflower Compact on collective decision-making and loyalty to the community reflects the early settlers' desire for a society where political power is created through cooperation and shared values among the inhabitants.

In comparison, the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, while also crucial in American history, came much later and had different focuses, such as separation from British rule, interstate relations, and establishing a stronger federal government respectively.