Massachusetts Bay Colony Established in 1630 by the Massachusetts Bay Company Settlers were led by John Winthrop Was the best planned and best supported attempt at English colonization of the new world 17 ships and 1000 men, women and children arrived The port city of Boston was established as the capitol.

Winthrop’s Vision Winthrop envisioned creating a society that would be a “city upon a hill”. This society would largely be based on biblical beliefs and values held by the Puritans. This led to a close relationship between the government and the Puritan church. The government was far more democratic than that in England. All male members of the Puritan church could vote (40% of the population)

Life in Puritan New England Unlike the settlers in Jamestown many Puritans traveled to America as families. Puritan laws were very strict; drunkenness, swearing and idleness were all punishable offenses. Those who did not adhere to Puritan views and beliefs were not very welcome in the colony.

Roger Williams Williams held two very controversial views. He believed that English settlers had no rightful claim to the land unless they purchased it from Indians. He also believed “Forced religion stinks in the nostrils of God”. For these beliefs he was forced out of the colony and headed south, bought land from the Narragansett tribe, and founded Providence. (separation of church and state and freedom of religion)

Anne Hutchinson Believed that “the Holy Spirit illumines the heart of every true believer”. This philosophy seemed to indicate worshippers needed no church or its ministers to interpret the Bible. She was a woman. She was banished and headed to Rhode Island and later New York.

Puritans and Indians The Puritans were no fans of Native Americans who were not willing to give up land. This led to many wars, including King Philip’s War that resulted in an overwhelming victory for the colonists and their Indian allies. The cost was high; 10% of the colonial men of military age were killed in the war.