Dorene O. answered • 08/27/18
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The colonists who landed at Plymouth were trying to head for Virginia, but had drifted off course. They felt since they were in a different place and not now part of the Virginia colony, which had a charter, they should make some kind of agreement. They chose to set up a government run as a democratic group, (men only, not women) and to make all necessary laws and appoint officers and elect a governor. They therefore established the first independent colonial government (but still subject to the King) in the colonies. This set up the precedent of a local government of and by the people, with elected representatives. Note that there was no general religious freedom. This group of separatist Protestants (i.e. separate from the church of England) required all to follow their religion, and those who disagreed were expelled. (This led to the establishment of Rhode Island.)
