The New England Colonies

As the English church developed over time, some believed the Anglican Church too resembled the old Catholic Church and sought reform.

Separatists hoped to

break away from the Church

and form their own.

Puritans hoped to reform

the Church from within.

Persecution The Kings of this period

saw each of these movements as challenges to his power, and thus began persecuting each— first the Separatists, then the Puritans.

Each group, at different times, decided to leave England for the New World where they could practice their religion freely.

1st Wave – the Separatists (Pilgrims) Aboard the Mayflower, the Pilgrims set sail

for Virginia in 1620. Upon arrival in 1620, the Pilgrims had blown

off course, and landed further north at Plymouth, MA

The Signing of the Mayflower Compact

Mayflower Compact There were both Pilgrims and non-

pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. To prevent dissent, they agreed to sign the Mayflower Compact.

It was a form of constitution, which set up how the colony would be run—rule by majority rule.

No one was allowed to leave the ship until every head of house signed the compact

The Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth

Rough Beginning Within a year, the Pilgrims found that MA had

brutal winters, and they didn’t know how to live in such a climate—over 50% of the colonists die

Like Jamestown, they too were unfamiliar with the land.

Wampanoag Allies The Wampanoag tribe formed an

alliance with the colonists and showed them how to cultivate corn, catch fish in rivers, extract sap from maple trees, and avoid poisonous plants.

After the first successful harvest, the colonists invited the Wampanoag to have a celebratory feast!

Squanto

The First Thanksgiving

2nd Wave – the Puritans

The Puritans saw this new world as a golden opportunity—to have a fresh start.

Led by John Winthrop, they hoped to found a model colony, based on God’s laws—a “city upon a hill”, based on the laws and teachings of the Bible.

Characteristics of New England Settlements

Characteristics of New England Settlements

Economy

Cold weather and poor soil allowed only small farms to prosper

Heavily reliant on trade with England

Shipping, lumber, fishing, etc.

Family Life

Arrived as complete families

Husbands and Wives shared ALL duties Farming, child raising,

running of the house. Children faced strict

upbringing

Politics In the Massachusetts Bay colony a close

relationship evolved between the Puritan church and the state government. – Must meet religious obligations in return for God’s favor.

1. Taxes supported the church

2. Laws made illegal the sins of drunkenness, swearing, theft, and laziness.

3. These laws developed a “Puritan work ethic”—hard work for God.

Politics All adult male members of

the church could vote—about 40%. These men voted for representatives to a General Court—like a House of Representatives.

Massachusetts colonists also held “town hall meetings” in which all male colonist church members could speak their mind freely in the issues of the day.

Pequot War Like Jamestown, those in Massachusetts needed

more land. This led to war with the Pequot tribe. In 1636 the colonists wiped out the Pequot tribe And the colonists planned it that way – wanted it to

be a massacre.

King Philip’s War Due to the growth of the

colony and the settlers treatment of the Pequot, King Philip decided to gather his tribe and attack the settlement.

After the war, there was no longer Native American resistance to the colony.

Disease played a major role in both wars to weaken the tribes. Metacom (King Philip)

Roger WilliamsWilliams, a colonist, disagreed with Winthrop over the treatment of the Indians – wanted to buy the land from them.He also disliked the linking of church and state. Williams thought that they should be separate so each person could have more religious freedom.In 1636 he was asked to leave the colony.

The Trial of Anne Hutchinson

Believed that people didn’t need preachers or ministers to interpret the word of God. They just needed the Bible.

Shocked Puritan leaders banished her form the colony.

Decreasing Zeal Overtime the intense

religiosity of the Puritans decreased as the next generation of Puritans showed less interest in religion and more interest in economic growth. How would the Puritan vision and Church survive?

Half-Way Covenant The Church adopted the

“Half-Way Covenant” that allowed partial membership in the Church—children could be baptized but they couldn’t vote or take communion.

To gain full membership, one had to share their conversion experience.

This kept the Puritan Church alive.

The Salem Witch Trials The Salem Witch trials began in 1692 in

Massachusetts Some young girls in this town claimed to be possessed

through women of the town practicing witch craft.As the girls got more attention they accused more people,

with no real proof other than the accusation.In the ensuing “witch hunt”, 200 were accused and 20

people were executed.

http://www.slideshare.net/BrianThomasTCI/salem-dot-game

The Trial of a Suspected Witch in Salem

Witch Trials Expose major issues Underlying the trials were economic

issues. The girls tended to be of the lower classes, and accused wealthier men and women.

Many of the accused women were thought to be too “independent”, and therefore their execution shows the difficult position of women in the MBC.

Massachusetts Loses it’s Charter

Puritan leaders of Massachusetts believed that their charter did not require them to obey Laws passed by Parliament

In 1684 King Charles II decided

to put an end to these violations Revoked the colony’s corporate

charter and made it a royal colony

under control of the crown!

Massachusetts Charter Members of the colony

were outraged After the Glorious

Revolution in England, Massachusetts charter was restoredKing appointed governorMore religious toleranceMust have non-Puritan

representation in the colonial assembly

Rhode Island, 1636

Roger Williams established a society based on his beliefs

Major Featuresa. Complete freedom of religion, even

for Jews, Catholics, and Quakers.

b. No oaths required regarding one's religious beliefs

c. No compulsory attendance at worship

d. No taxes to support a state church

e. Treat Indians with respect—purchased land from local tribe.

f. All men could vote.

Connecticut, 1636

1. In May 1636, group of unhappy Boston Puritans led by Rev. Thomas Hooker moved into the Connecticut River valley area and founded the town of Hartford.

3. Sought more land, open church membership, and open voting.

Connecticut - GovernmentFundamental Orders drafted in 1639 by

new Connecticut River colony a. First modern constitution in American history

b. Established a representative gov’t consisting of a legislature elected by popular vote and a governor chosen by that legislature.

c. Gov’t should be based on consent of the people.

Population of the New England Colonies

Population of the New England Colonies