Massachusetts Bay Colony In 1630 the Puritans also

Massachusetts Bay Colony In 1630, the Puritans also sought religious freedom in America. The Puritans were persecuted for wanting to “purify, ” or change the Church of England by eliminating Catholic practices. They formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony to get a charter; once received, over 1, 000 men, women and children sailed for America

By 1640, over 20, 000 settlers came to the colony for religious freedom and cheap land. This is often called the Great Migration. Ironically, the Puritans did not offer religious freedom in their own colony!! Only men who belonged to the Puritan church could vote. Under the leadership of John Winthrop, the colony prospered and joined with Plymouth to form Massachusetts.

Connecticut In 1636, Thomas Hooker left Massachusetts to form his own colony. They wanted more religious freedom and built new villages. Eventually, they wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut to allow all male property owners to vote and limit the power of the governor. “Government should be based on the free consent of the people. ” –Thomas Hooker

Rhode Island Also in 1636, Roger Williams angered the leaders of Massachusetts Bay by encouraging a separation of church and state. He also believed in tolerance, or the willingness to let others practice their own beliefs. “Forced worship stinks in God’s nostrils. ” – Roger Williams

In 1644, he received a charter to establish Rhode Island, the first colony to offer complete religious freedom. Ann Hutchinson also fled Massachusetts for criticizing the Puritans. She and her family went to Rhode Island.

New Hampshire In 1622, New Hampshire received a charter north of Massachusetts.

Life in the New England Colonies

Natural Resources 1. Rocky soil, short growing season (Therefore, most settlers were subsistence farmers, or growing only enough food for their own needs) 2. Large forests that would provide a supply of lumber

3. Many fast moving rivers that provided good transportation and power for sawmills 4. Good harbors led to growth of trading and shipbuilding 5. Coastal waters were perfect for fishing and whaling industries

Commerce New England colonists were into fishing, shipbuilding or worked as sailors. Merchants shipped goods to England West Indies (a part of the Triangular Trade) Many were craftsmen and skilled workers like coopers, blacksmiths

England believed that the colonies existed for the benefit of the Mother Country. They were supposed to: 1. Provide raw materials to England 2. Buy England’s manufactured goods This policy is known as mercantilism, a theory in which a nation became strong by building up its gold supply and expanding trade

Example: New England Timber from the Massachusetts is shipped to England. Cheap It is made into products that then sold in the colonies for huge profits. Expensive Great Britain

By the 1650 s, Parliament (England’s legislative body) passed a series of laws to regulate trade between England its colonies that became known as the Navigation Acts. These Acts stated that the colonies could trade with only England no other country. Any product being imported to the colonies first had to go through England.

The colonists felt that these acts were unfair so smuggling was very common. England did not strictly enforce these laws. Colonial merchants developed Triangular Trade, a complex trade network that involved the colonies trading with Africa for slaves and the West Indies.

Home Life Lived in small villages surrounded by farms Houses had 2 -3 rooms, cooked using fire and made their own furniture Most clothes were made at home from spun wool. Average family had 7 -8 kids; People lived to age of 70.

Religion and Education The church was at the heart of every village. a. No dancing or games were allowed. b. Work or travel was forbidden on Sundays c. In Mass. , it was required by law to attend church services.

The Puritans believed formed self-governing “congregations” and shared three main beliefs: 1. Hard work honored God and led to the colony’s wealth and success 2. Education was required by law so that everyone could read the Bible and be able to write. 3. Representative Gov’t was important.

Salem Witch Trials 1692—Puritans executed 20 men and women as “witches” in Salem Village, Mass.

3 -2 -1 Exit Slip List 3 resources, two exports and one job they would have if they lived in New England.