Why did the Watauga compact call for 5 leaders instead of just 1?

Answer 1

The Watauga Compact called for five leaders instead of just one to ensure a more balanced representation of the community's interests and to prevent the concentration of power in a single individual. This decision reflected a desire for collective decision-making and accountability among the leaders, fostering a sense of cooperation and shared responsibility. By distributing leadership, the compact aimed to create a more stable and equitable governance structure for the settlers in the Watauga region.