The Pilgrims Separating Fact from Fiction Religious Problems
The Pilgrims: Separating Fact from Fiction
Religious Problems in England • 1530 King Henry VIII “protested” against the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) – Established the Church of England • 1553 Queen Mary I abolished the Church of England – Returned England to the RCC • 1559 Queen Elizabeth I reinstituted the Church of England…a protestant church
Puritan Problems in England • Some people in England felt the Church of England was too much like the Roman Catholic Church • They began to protest and worship separately • people who wanted to clean up or “purify” the Church of England were called “Puritans”
Puritan Problems in England • Queen Elizabeth I passed laws against Puritans (jail time, fines, etc. ) • King James I passed more laws against Puritans (jail time, fines, etc. ) – Ordered new translation of the bible (in English) known as the King James Version
Puritans Leave England • 1608 some Puritans decided to leave England (to avoid persecution) – They were called “Separatists” • They moved to Leiden, Holland – Holland was “Protestant” (anti-RCC) • King of Holland allowed the English Puritan Separatists to worship their own way (Religious Tolerance)
Puritans Leave Holland • English Puritan Separatists stayed in Holland about 12 years • They watched their kids grow up like Dutch kids (clothing, games, language, etc. ) • They were afraid of losing their English culture and language • 1617 these Puritan Separatists began looking for new land in the New World
Puritans Sail for America • 1619 -1620 Separatists made two business deals to get to America: – They hired a fishing ship, “Speedwell, ” move some Puritans from Holland to VA to
Puritans Sail for America • 1619 -1620 Separatists made two business deals to get to America: – They contracted w/ London-based “Merchant Adventurers” to use “Mayflower” for move to VA – These Puritans had to work for Merchant Adventurers to pay off their travel debts
Delayed Departure • Mayflower and Speedwell were supposed to leave in July • Speedwell had too much sail, caused excessive leaking…never made the trip • Bad weather delayed departure of the Mayflower until September – 102 passengers plus 26 crew onboard – 41 “Pilgrims” and 61 “Strangers”
Crossing the Atlantic • Ship was overcrowded • Passengers on • by September food was rotting and running low stayed Main Deck ,
Crossing the Atlantic • Mayflower encountered several bad storms • Most passengers were very seasick
Crossing the Atlantic • Elizabeth Hopkins gave birth to a baby boy • She named the baby “Oceanus”
Crossing the Atlantic • John Howland went on deck for fresh air • He was tossed overboard • He grabbed a rope and was hauled back on board
Crossing the Atlantic • November, 1620 Mayflower arrived off Cape Cod, MA • Tried to sail south to Virginia • Captain decided to stay near Massachusetts
Deciding Where to Land • Pilgrims and Strangers spent one month exploring for the best possible place to land • They choose a small, deep-water • They named it Plymouth sheltered, bay
Before Disembarking… • Pilgrims and Strangers wrote a list of rules for the new colony • 41 men signed it • Document is called the “Mayflower Compact” – first document in America’s “democratic” history of self-government
“All Ashore!” • Colonists “landed” on Dec 16, 1620 • They built 7 houses that winter • April, 1621 – Mayflower returned to England – 50 colonists were already dead
The Pilgrims: Separating Fact from Fiction
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