William Bradford

Real World Example

William Bradford was a leader and long-time governor of the Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest successful English settlements in North America. He played a crucial role in organizing the Mayflower voyage and helping the settlers survive their first harsh winter through the creation of fair laws and cooperative agreements with Native Americans. His actions mattered because they laid the foundation for democratic governance and community cooperation in the New World. Today, Bradford's emphasis on self-governance and community can be seen in modern democratic principles, like town hall meetings where citizens participate in decision-making. For example, when students engage in school councils to voice their opinions and make decisions, they are practicing a form of democracy similar to what Bradford advocated.