The New England Colonies The Migration of Puritans

The New England Colonies The Migration of Puritans and Pilgrims

Puritans and Colonization of New England Puritans were a group of people who criticized (wanted to “purify”) the corruption and hierarchy in the Church of England. The Church of England was the official church in England that everyone automatically belonged to. Puritans believed that the final authority came from the Bible, not from church officials, and therefore, every individual had direct access to the word of God.

Plymouth (Massachusetts) 1620 Some Puritans wanted to completely separate from the Church of England (they were called Separatists). The group of Pilgrims who came on the Mayflower in 1620 were Separatists. Created Mayflower Compact ◦ Began idea of self-government and majority rule in colonies

Agreement Between the Settlers at New Plymouth : 1620 IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.

The New England Colonies The Migration of Puritans and Pilgrims

New Hampshire 1623 John Mason wanted to start a colony for fishing and trade ◦ Portsmouth Expanded by John Wheelwright in 1638 ◦ Some Puritans from Massachusetts seek more freedoms Atlantic Cod

Charles I Reigned Son 1625 -1649 of James I Didn’t get along with the Puritans or Parliament Wanted to help the Catholics

Massachusetts Bay 1630 Settled by the Puritans ◦ Great Migration 15, 000 Puritans left England ◦ Loyal to the Church of England, but believed they could purify the behavior of individuals (purify the Church from within). Instituted Town meetings ◦ self-government ◦ Church was the central focus of each town The New England Way ◦ Duty, godliness, hard work Eventually Founded Absorbed Plymouth Harvard College in 1636 to train Puritan ministers John Winthrop “We shall be a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people on us"

Reading Like a Historian - Puritans Central Question: Were the Puritans selfish or selfless?

Connecticut 1636 Continuation of the Great Migration of the Puritans ◦ Dissatisfied with lack of freedoms in Massachusetts Fundamental Orders of Connecticut ◦ First written Constitution in colonies ◦ Extended voting rights to all citizens ◦ Limited power of the governor Thomas Hooker

Rhode Island 1636 Roger Williams was kicked out of Massachusetts Believed in the separation of church and state Thought the Native Americans should be treated fairly Roger Williams

Pilgrims Differences Puritans Differences Similarities Pilgrims Puritans