4.2 Notes

The Pilgrims’ Experience

The Pilgrim Experience Puritans and Pilgrims

o Puritans Wanted to reform the Church of England Believed the following:

that the church kept too many Catholic traditions Bishops/priests had too much power Bible was the most reliable source of power

o Sect Religious group of Puritans

Wanted to separate from the Church of England rather than reform it (called Separatists)

Formed own churches and were persecuted for doing so

Puritans

o Pilgrims These are the Separatists Left England and moved to the Netherlands (1607)

Dutch allowed them to practice their religion William Bradford was one of their leaders

The Founding of Plymoutho Pilgrims were unhappy due to:

Children learning Dutch traditions Having to do unskilled labor

Led to decision to go to America

o Voyage to America Established a joint-stock company with Merchants Got permission from England to settle in Virginia September 16, 1620, left for America (on Mayflower)

o Landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusettso Knowing they were outside of Virginia colonial government,

they formed their own Mayflower Compact Stated basic laws and social rules 1st effort at self-government in the English Colonies

o Half of the Pilgrims died in the first Winter -Video

Pilgrims and American Indianso Pilgrims met few Indians because dieases from previous

Europeans killed themo Samoset and Squanto

Samoset spoke English (learned from previous exposure to English fisherman)

Squanto spoke English (captured by Spanish) Showed them how to plant corn, fertilize soil, make peace

with other Indian tribes. Video

Samoset and Squanto

The Pilgrims Communityo The First Thanksgiving

Due to good harvest, good health (better buildings) Met with 90 Indians to Celebrate Marked first year in surviving in their new colony

o Trade Fur traders, fishing, farming*

o Family Took 20 years to pay of price of land Wanted large families for the sake of having more people

to work on farm Adopted orphaned children Both children and indentured servants educated Women had more legal rights and could sign contracts Second Year at Plymouth

The First Thanksgiving