Lesson 2: The New England Colonies

Key Idea

Unlike other colonies founded for profit, the New England colonies were established by people seeking religious freedom. Groups like the Puritans left England to build a new society where they could practice their faith without interference. They envisioned creating a perfect community guided by their religious principles.

In New England, religion and government were closely linked. Communities were built around the church, and leaders aimed to create a "city upon a hill" as an example for the world. This focus on creating their own rules led to the development of self-government, with colonists creating written plans and forming town meetings to make local decisions.

Key Idea

In 1620, a group of Separatists known as the Pilgrims sailed to America on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom. They landed at Plymouth, outside the territory of their original charter. This meant they had no official government to guide them.

To create order, the Pilgrim men signed the Mayflower Compact before going ashore. This document was a promise to work together and create "just and equal Laws" for the good of the colony. It established a foundation for self-government and majority rule in America.

Key Idea

The Pilgrims’ first winter in Plymouth was devastating. Many colonists died from starvation and disease, and the colony was close to failure.

Their survival became possible with help from the local Wampanoag people. An Abenaki man named Samoset made initial contact. Later, Squanto, a Wampanoag man who spoke English, taught the Pilgrims essential skills. He showed them how to plant corn and where to fish, ensuring the colony would not starve. This cooperation was vital for the Pilgrims' success.

Key Idea

The Puritans built the Massachusetts Bay Colony for their own religious freedom, but they did not grant it to others. The colony's leaders demanded strict conformity to their beliefs. People who disagreed with Puritan authority or expressed different religious ideas were often punished or forced to leave.

This intolerance led dissenters to form new colonies. A minister named Roger Williams was banished and founded Rhode Island, a colony that welcomed people of all faiths. Thomas Hooker also left Massachusetts, leading a group to establish Connecticut and create a government with more political freedom.