SPONGE 1._______ leaders left to America because they were convinced that England had fallen on “evil times.”(p.103) 2.Town Meetings encouraged the growth of… (p.107) Chapter 4, Section 1

The New England Colonies Chapter 4, Section 1

The Puritans in Massachusetts As we learned in the last chapter, England became a Protestant country in the 1500’s. A small group of these Protestants felt that England’s church was still too Catholic and wanted to reform the church to simpler ways. (ex: no organ music, decoration) These Puritans were convinced that England had fallen on “evil times” and left for Massachusetts in 1629 to set an example of how Protestants should live.

Governing the Colony Royal officials granted the Puritans a charter to form the Massachusetts Bay Company. The company planned to build a new society based on biblical law. John Winthrop was chosen as the first governor of Massachusetts in He extended voting rights to all church members to keep colonists content (and non-Puritans powerless.) Between 1629 and 1640, 15,000 came to Massachusetts in the “Great Migration,” most living in the large town of Boston.

Connecticut The Puritans were very idealistic, but not always tolerant of different ideas. Many people were exiled from Massachusetts for their ideas: –Thomas Hooker believed the Puritan government had become too powerful. In 1636 he founded Connecticut on the idea of limited government. –His plan for government, called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, limited the Governor’s power and allowed all land-owning men to vote (not just Puritans.)

Rhode Island Puritan preacher Roger Williams also thought the Puritan Church had too much power. He believed the powers of church and state should be separate and that people should not be forced to attend church services.

Rhode Island Williams also believed in Religious Tolerance, or letting people practice their own beliefs. After being banished from Massachusetts he established Rhode Island on the his ideas of tolerance and freedom of religion.

Anne Hutchinson One person who fled to Rhode Island was Anne Hutchinson, an intelligent and opinionated Puritan woman. Puritan leaders grew angry at Anne for daring to speak out on religion, and put her on trial in After two days of questioning and arguing, the Puritan court exiled Anne out of Massachusetts, but she remained an inspiration to others who would stand up to the church.

At first Puritan relations with Native Americans were good; Puritan leaders treated Indians fairly and the two sides traded. However, as more Puritans arrived and more Native American lands were taken, fighting erupted. Puritans at War with Native Americans

A Wampanoag Chief named Metacom watched as English towns were built on tribal lands and stated: “I am resolved not to see the day when I have no country.” Metacom, known to the English as “King Phillip,” decided he would rather fight than allow the English to take his lands. Puritans at War with Native Americans

In 1675 Metacom allied with other New England tribes with the purpose of driving the English settlers back into the ocean. This alliance killed hundreds of Puritans and destroyed entire English towns until an increasing number of Native Americans began to die of disease. By 1675 the powerful Iroquois joined the English and destroyed the tribes that had banded together to save their lands. King Phillip’s War

Puritans believed a town should be a close community. On Sundays they took their Sabbath, or holy day of rest, where working, playing, joking and many other things were not allowed. At town meetings settlers discussed and voted on many issues. Town Meetings gave settlers a chance to speak their minds, which encouraged the growth of democratic ideas. Life in New England Towns and Villages

Though New England land was rocky and poor farm land, the forest provided riches such as lumber and plentiful game for hunting. Cities like Boston grew into major shipbuilding centers. Coastal towns became fishing and whaling centers. During the 1700’s, Puritan power slowly faded in New England as the church began to have less say in colonial politics and everyday life. Life in New England Towns and Villages