PLYMOUTH/MASS BAY COLONIES

Plymouth

Separatists-People who wanted to separate from the Church of England.

Moved from England to the Netherlands. Could not find work here, had problems with language, and did not like the fact their children were losing their English

identity. Pilgrim- person who makes a long

journey for religious purposes.

Separatists create their own Joint Stock Company- Merchant Adventurers.

In Sept of 1620 102 Passengers including 41 Separatists/Pilgrims board the Mayflower and set sail for Virginia.

Poor weather conditions and sailing mistakes put the Mayflower off course.

In November they land off the coast of Cape Cod.

Before they left the ship the Pilgrim leaders and “Strangers”drew up a plan of government- The Mayflower Compact.

John Carver was elected governor of Plymouth.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Puritans-People who wanted to change or purify the Church of England.

Puritans are different from Separatists-usually better educated, wealthier, and held more power in English society.

New England Company- joint stock company started by Puritans.

New England Company sends people to Massachusetts to start a colony and a year later they change the name of their joint stock company to the Massachusetts Bay Company.

Great Migration- during a year’s time more than 1000 Puritans leave England and settle in Massachusetts.

Growth of MBC

With the arrival of such a large number of people the first major town in North America emerges-Boston. Boston would be the center of the MBC.

John Winthrop- Governor of MBC, he made sure that this colony would be an example to the way other colonies should live.

Puritan Way of Life

Strong belief in duty, hard work, and education were part of their obedience to God.

Believed that dancing, playing games, and other amusements would lead to laziness and would take them out of favor with God.

Hard Work was the most important belief of the Puritans.