New England Colonies

3 Colonial Regions After the success in Jamestown, thousands of English come to the New World Wanted cheap land English that settle in the north came for religious reasons Puritans dominate culture and society in the New England colonies MA, CT, RI, NH

Who are Pilgrims? Settlers that fled to England to settle in America Separatists Not allowed to practice religion freely in England Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, landed near Cape Cod, Mass. 41 men signed the Mayflower Compact, a document that established the “equal laws” for the best interests of their colony First governing document in the New World Founded the Plymouth colony, led by William Bradford Struggled to survive Half died by the following year due to starvation and cold Native Americans helped them learn to fish and farm

The Mayflower

The Mayflower Size – 106 ft long, 25 ft wide Route to America - left from Southampton, England, but had to stop at Dartmouth due to a leak. From there, sailed to US Supposed to go to VA Landed in Cape Cod 102 passengers Crew of 25-30 August - November

Who are the Puritans Religious group that supported reform in England, but felt that new religion wasn’t separate enough from the Catholic Church Wanted to ”purify” the Church of England, not separate Puritans were not allowed to practice faith in England Founded Massachusetts Bay Colony “City upon a hill” – an example of a perfect society “We shall be like a City upon a Hill, all of the eyes of the people are on us”

Massachusetts Bay Colony Led by John Winthrop First governor Approx. 900 settlers left England in the early 1630s 20,000 people traveled to New England between 1630-1640 Settled in Massachusetts Church was the center of life Strict, simple religion Believed in predestination Not religiously tolerant Heretics – people who disagree with religious beliefs Banished

Anne Hutchinson Puritan woman of present-day Boston, Mass Saw visions from God Held discussions about faith in the town Put on trial for heresy and found guilty Heresy – believing in a different opinion/word than the Church Banished from the colony, later moved to Rhode Island

Rhode Island In the 1636, Roger Williams was banished from Mass. Bay Moved south and founded Providence in present day RI Established religious freedom Townspeople had a voice in decisions of the church

Connecticut In 1636, Thomas Hooker asked MBC court for permission to move settlement south Frustrated that only male church members with property could vote in MBC Founded Hartford where he helped organize a government system Fundamental Orders of Connecticut First colonial constitution All men allowed to vote and serve in gov’t

Economy Poor, rocky soil Little to no slavery Most cities formed along the coast for trade with England Boston Settlers made their living on shipbuilding, whaling, and fishing Large forests supplied plenty of lumber