Aim: Why were the New England Colonies important in the establishment of the United States?

Do Now: In 1620, a group of settlers from England known as the Pilgrims were blown off course on their way to Virginia, and

landed in what is today Massachusetts. Believing that their new location put them outside of the rules of the Virginia Company,

they decided to sign an agreement, known as the Mayflower Compact, before coming ashore and establishing the colony of

Plymouth. Use the excerpt from the Mayflower Compact below to answer the following questions.

Who were the Pilgrims?

• Most of the early settlers of modern day New England were Puritans.

•Puritans: Protestant Christian followers of John Calvin who believed that salvation was determined based on the will of God, and that the purpose of life was to live devoutly and work hard.

•These Puritans would soon find themselves at odds with Anglicans (follows of the Church of England) in England, as they criticized them for not being devout enough.

Who were the Pilgrims?• Anglicans would persecute Puritans in

response, burning their books and attacking Puritans openly, causing many Puritans to flee to the new American colonies.

Based on the beliefs of the Puritans, how successful do you think their colony will be? How does this compare to the colonists of Jamestown?

Early Plymouth

• Unlike Virginia, Plymouths climate and soil did not allow for the growing of tobacco, and the winters were significantly harsher.

•Within a year, half of the colonists had died, but enough had survived (mostly with the help of the Native American Squanto) to celebrate what is commonly cited as the “first Thanksgiving”.

John Winthrop’s City on a Hill• In 1630, Puritan John Winthrop would

establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony around modern day Boston, a colony which would eventually absorb Plymouth.

But I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arbella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they, too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier.

"We must always consider," he said, "that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us."

Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us—and our governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, must be as a city upon a hill—constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities.

"I've spoken of the shining city all my political life…. And how stands the city on this winter night? … After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true to the granite ridge, and her glow has held no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home."

Political Legacy of the New England Colonies

• The settlers of New England, having fled persecution in England, sought to grant more individual liberties to themselves.

•In 1636, colonist Roger Williams found himself exiled from the colony when he objected to unfair treatment of Native Americans.

•Williams would flee to modern day Rhode Island and establish a colony that allowed for religious freedom and established a seperation between church and starte.

Political Legacy of the New England Colonies

• In 1641, the Massachusetts Body of Liberties was based, granting:o Freedom of Speech

oA right against cruel and unusual punishment

oA right to trial by juryWhat impact do you think these political actions will have on the future United States?

The Witch Trials of Colonial New England

• By the late 1600’s, Colonial New England experienced a rash of accused demon possessions, ultimately culminating in the Salem Witch Trials in which 20 people were executed as witches.•Although the towns would eventually apologize to the victims, the trials would permenantly alter Colonial New England

• According to the text, what is Elizabeth Knap being accused of?

• When you hear the term “witch trial”, what do you think of? Based on this, what effect do you think the trials will have on Colonial New England?