Mayflower Artifact Analysis
In the painting drawn by Allyn Cox during the 1900s, we see the on canvas the signing of the Mayflower Compact. This document was signed aboard a ship named the Mayflower in 1620, and established new rules for the upcoming colony. The Pilgrims and their leader William Brewster is shown signing the document, while John Standish the colony’s military leader oversees the document. I believe that Cox point of view was that a new government should be implemented in the colonies because she incorporated oil drawings of the woman and Native Americans, people the Mother Country doesn’t look highly on. My response to the painting is similar to the painters since to the right we see a woman on the spinning wheel which to me signifies tranquility at
the home. A typical household in the 1600s is known for its domesticated scenes but only when the house is truly at peace. Also shown is a Native American which symbolizes the acceptance of the people they will encounter in the New World. After fleeing their Mother Country from religious persecution the colonists will tolerate and learn from their new friends. This painting has cultural and historical context everywhere since the Mayflower Compact was the first document signed to put forth a new government. This is important in American History because it shows how we began to break off of England’s rule and establish new life in the New World. The Mayflower Compact set forth principles of tolerance and liberty for the government of the Pilgrims new colony. Most importantly this document finally established that the government’s authority derives from the consent of the governed. The signers of the Mayflower Compact commenced a new beginning, a democratic colony. Not only was the authority derived from the colonists but also that new laws had to be consented by the inhabitants to be passed. The colonists settled in an empty Indian village where harsh winters led them to Native Americans help. In 1621 guidance from the Wambanoag tribe and a treaty led to successful harvest and what we now know as Thanksgiving Dinner. The Mayflower Compact is sometimes considered the first constitution although it was also believed that it was very broad. The Plymouth Colony, single handily, was the most democratic colony of its time. The rule that every adult male of his household was shareholder of the company and could vote for government was the start to something big; a democracy.
the home. A typical household in the 1600s is known for its domesticated scenes but only when the house is truly at peace. Also shown is a Native American which symbolizes the acceptance of the people they will encounter in the New World. After fleeing their Mother Country from religious persecution the colonists will tolerate and learn from their new friends. This painting has cultural and historical context everywhere since the Mayflower Compact was the first document signed to put forth a new government. This is important in American History because it shows how we began to break off of England’s rule and establish new life in the New World. The Mayflower Compact set forth principles of tolerance and liberty for the government of the Pilgrims new colony. Most importantly this document finally established that the government’s authority derives from the consent of the governed. The signers of the Mayflower Compact commenced a new beginning, a democratic colony. Not only was the authority derived from the colonists but also that new laws had to be consented by the inhabitants to be passed. The colonists settled in an empty Indian village where harsh winters led them to Native Americans help. In 1621 guidance from the Wambanoag tribe and a treaty led to successful harvest and what we now know as Thanksgiving Dinner. The Mayflower Compact is sometimes considered the first constitution although it was also believed that it was very broad. The Plymouth Colony, single handily, was the most democratic colony of its time. The rule that every adult male of his household was shareholder of the company and could vote for government was the start to something big; a democracy.