Plymouth Colony
In 1620, the Pilgrims left England on a ship called the Mayflower. Led by William Bradford, they traveled to America in search of religious freedom (separating themselves from the Church of England). After 66 days at sea, they reached the coast of Massachusetts. There, the Plymouth Colony was founded. |
Before leaving the ship, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact. This agreement created laws and established a government for the new Plymouth Colony "to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, offices... for the general good of the Colony." |
The land in Massachusetts where the Pilgrims settled was rocky with poor, thin soil for growing crops. Through the winter, many of the Pilgrims starved and died. But, when spring arrived, the Pilgrims were greeted by Native Americans who were willing to help them - a cheiftan named Massasoit and the Wampanoag tribe. One Native American in particular, named Squanto, helped the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony. Squanto lived in Plymouth with the Pilgrims and taught them how to fish, hunt, and fertilize their crops. In 1621, after the first harvest, the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to have a three-day feast of thanksgiving with them (which is why we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving in America!).
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Massachusetts Bay Colony
In 1630, a new group of people from England, the Puritans, led by John Winthrop, set sail for America on the Arbella. The Puritans, in addition to the Pilgrims, sought religious freedom in the New World. They wanted to purify the Church of England, so they sailed across the ocean to form a new, holy religious community in the colonies, where people would live strictly by the Bible. They landed in Massachusetts and formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony. |
After arriving in America, the Puritans settled small New England towns and villages throughout the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Each village was centered around a meetinghouse, which was used as a church, town hall, and social center. Most had a general store, blacksmith's shop, candle-maker's shop, furniture maker's shop, and maybe an inn for guests. Almost all villages had a school, because education was very important to the Puritans. Public schools were established in all towns with 50 or more families. In 1636, the Puritans founded Harvard College, where people came from all over the colonies (and even the world) to study! And in 1642, the Puritans passed a law stating that all parents must teach their children how to read.
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Although the Puritans left England to find their own religious freedom, in their newly established colony, they were not tolerant of the religious practices of others. Religion played a large role in the government of the Puritans. For example, only male church members were allowed to vote and elect the governor and council. Therefore, the colony was ruled by men who governed according to the Bible and Puritan beliefs. |
In both the Plymouth Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony, cheif crops included lumber and fish.
Can you imagine what life was like on a farm in Colonial New England? Click here to discover.