The story of the Pilgrims voyage to Plymouth Plymouth Colony The story of the Pilgrims voyage to Plymouth

Religious Disagreement in England In the 1530’s King Henry VIII declared himself the head of the Church of England and everyone was expected to follow the ways of the Church of England. A group of critics emerged within the Anglican Church called Puritans who tried “purify” the church by getting rid of all Catholic influences. A small group of Puritans disapproved so strongly they left the church and became separatists.

Life as a Separatist Separatist enraged the English government and were attacked for their beliefs and shut out of their communities. In 1608, a groups of separatists calling themselves Pilgrims, settle in the city of Leyden located in the Netherlands. Netherlands England

Life in the Netherlands The Pilgrims are able to worship as they please, but were unhappy because they felt they were losing their English culture and were afraid their children would become more like the Dutch.

Plymouth Colony The Pilgrims make the decision to travel to the English Colonies, and gained a charter from the London Company to set up a charter in Virginia. On November 9, 1620, the Mayflower arrived at the tip of Cape Cod, carrying 100 men, women, and children. "The Landing of the Pilgrims" (1877) by Henry A. Bacon Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall (1882)

Mayflower Compact Since they were outside of their charter and its laws, the Pilgrims decide to establish some kind of law. 41 men signed the Mayflower Compact setting up a form of self-government agreeing to obey laws passed by the majority.

Life in Plymouth Colony During their first winter, half of the Plymouth Colonists died from hunger and disease. In the spring of 1621, a native, named Squanto, came to the Pilgrims’ Rescue. The Native Americans gave the Pilgrims seeds and showed them how to plant them. They also taught them how to catch eels from nearby rivers.

The First Thanksgiving Thanks to the help of Native Americans, the Pilgrims have an abundant harvest in 1621 and also receive an official charter for their settlement from the Council of New England. "The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe To celebrate, they share their harvest with the Native Americans in the first Thanksgiving.