The New England ColoniesPlymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut

Plymouth Colony

First successful New England colony

Founded as a result of religious conflicts in England

Settled by the Pilgrims

Aboard the Mayflower

The Pilgrims and the “Strangers”, they felt it necessary to draft a document to serve as a temporary government

They drew up the Mayflower Compact and pledged to obey their government’s laws and ‘stick together’

One of the drafters of the Mayflower Compact, William Bradford, was elected governor of the Plymouth colony 30 times (1620-1656)

Helped create a government

Wrote the History of Plymouth Plantation

The First Thanksgiving

After the harsh winter of 1620, the Plymouth colony rebounded and prospered. The Pilgrims befriended the local Wampanoag tribe, and they taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a feast of thanksgiving with the Wampanoag to celebrate the harvest

Plymouth Colony - in review!

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Settled in 1630 by Puritans

They disliked the Church of England and wanted to reform or ‘purify’ the church from within

They did not believe in religious tolerance and would not accept people who had beliefs different than their own

As the Puritans sailed, founder of the colony and future governor John Winthrop delivered a famous sermon, outlining the goals and beliefs of the colonists.

“We must be knit together in this work, as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection.... We must delight in each other; make others’ condition our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together....For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.”

~ John Winthrop, “A Model of Christian Charity”

Discussion Questions

1. What is Winthrop’s message?

2. Metaphorically, what is ‘a city upon a hill’?

3. Do you think America is still ‘a city upon a hill’?

Dissent in the Puritan Community

Roger Williams Anne Hutchinson

Roger Williams

Believed in a separation of church and state

Was kicked out of the MBC – went on to establish the colony of Providence (Rhode Island)

Rhode Island became a colony of religious tolerance

Anne Hutchinson

Preached that salvation could be achieved through faith and good works – did not believe that it was predetermined

Held Bible studies and would preach from her home

Was brought to trial and found guilty of heresy

Fled to RI then later NY