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The Mayflower Compact is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on how the Mayflower Compact set up self-government, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.Civ.5.3-5. It prints 5 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

The Mayflower Compact

D2.Civ.5.3-5

NameDate

Read the source and answer the questions, then circle the right answers.

1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

The Mayflower Compact

An extract from the Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 men aboard the Mayflower off Cape Cod in November 1620 (spelling modernized). …do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. Words to know (written for this worksheet): covenant: make a solemn promise. civil body politic: a group of people who govern themselves. meet: fitting or proper.

  1. 1. How many people signed the compact, and who were they?
  2. 2. Why is the compact an early example of self-government?
  3. 3. Who would make the colony's laws, according to the compact?
  4. 4. What did the signers promise to enact, constitute and frame?
2.In what year did the Virginia House of Burgesses first meet?
  • A.1619
  • B.1776
  • C.1492
3.Who usually could not vote in the colonies' early elections?
  • A.Women and enslaved people
  • B.Members of the assembly
  • C.Free men who owned land
4.What is self-government?
  • A.Living with no rules at all
  • B.A king ruling with no laws
  • C.People making their own laws and choosing their leaders
5.What was the House of Burgesses?
  • A.A fort built to guard Jamestown
  • B.The first elected assembly in the English colonies
  • C.The ship that carried the Pilgrims

LessonPrint · D2.Civ.5.3-5 · Set 24 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — The Mayflower Compact

Set 24. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. 41 men aboard the Mayflower. 2. The signers agreed to make their own laws together and to obey them. 3. The signers themselves, combined together into a civil body politic. 4. Just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices.
  2. 2.1619
  3. 3.Women and enslaved people
  4. 4.People making their own laws and choosing their leaders
  5. 5.The first elected assembly in the English colonies

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.Civ.5.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.