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is the guiding principles and goal of American culture. Pilgrims drew up the Mayflower Compact and the adult male passengers on the ship signed it. Self-government was established and it set the principle that government must be based on consent of the governed. This was an important precedent for the development of American democracy and rule of law. The Mayflower Compact established the conception of majority rule, which has remained a primary principle of the US government. The Puritan principle that communities should be formed by covenants made another contribution to American democracy. It was this principle that produced America’s first democratic institution, the town meeting in Plymouth. At the town meeting every church member had the right to speak, and decisions were made by the majority. The Puritan emphasis on simplicity of worship and its asceticism have influenced the American way of doing things, which is characterized with simplicity and casual attitude. The Quakers contributed to American culture greatly. They were pioneers in social reform. The belief of the Quakers emphasizes human goodness. At the same time, however, it recognizes the presence of human evil. The Quakers demand complete separation of church and state. Quakerism requires its followers to live in accord with Christian principles. Truth and sincerity are Quaker’s bywords. The Quakers advocate peace and brotherly love among men and they are against any kind of war. Like Puritanism, Quakerism demands complete equality and it makes no distinction between the ***es in administration of its membership. Quaker doctrine attaches great importance to proper education of children, care of the needy, racial and religious toleration. It rejects retaliation and favors the treatment of all offenders in a spirit of love rather than with the object of punishment. As majority of early immigrants, the White Anglo-Saxon Protestants play a dominant role in colonial affairs, laying the basis of American culture. Their language, the English language, has become the official language of the colonies. As the minority immigrants from other countries are expected to be assimilated into the Protestant Anglo-Saxon culture. In spite of the predominant influence of the Anglo-Saxon culture, the values concept held by the English Protestants in America is not in total accord with the traditional English way of doing things. C. Non-mainstream Culture Other immigrants also contribute to the foundation of American culture. They brought the characteristics, moods, beliefs, ideas, morals and humanistic minds of their own nations. It greatly contributed to the pluralistic culture of the United States. 1. The Culture of Poland The Polish immigrants are one of the most important immigrants from Europe. They have strong nationalism. All the time they themselves unite together and separate from other Europeans. Their Catholic churches are different from other ones in America. And their organizations, ways to pray and ceremonies are different, even the saint who they pray to is different. Of course, in churches they speak Polish, not English. The Polish immigrants are not interested in joining in the mainstream of American society. Their purpose is to make money. They have strong competitive sense. But they do not exclude each other. They unite their nation to compete with other nations. Many white people regard them as terrible competitors. 2. The Culture of Fenland The Fini