5.3 Settling the New England Colonies

Objectives: Examine why the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded. Examine colonists’ conflicts with Native Americans.

Objectives: Examine why the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded. Examine colonists’ conflicts with Native Americans.

Review: 14. What did the Roanoke colony become known as and why? 15. Define joint stock company— 16. What was the first permanent English settlement in North America? 17. What are some factors that led to starvation in Jamestown? 18. Who stepped forward to take charge of Jamestown? 19. Which Native American is credited with saving John Smith’s life? 20. What plant changed the fortunes of Jamestown (and who introduced it)? 21. Define indentured servant— 22. What was the name of the first representative lawmaking assembly in the English colonies? 23. Define royal colony—

Review: 24. Who were the Puritans? 25. Who were the Separatists (and what did they call themselves)? 26. What was the name of the Pilgrim ship? 27. What was the name of the agreement the Pilgrims made before they set foot on land? 28. Who was the Pilgrim leader? 29. Where did the Pilgrims finally settle? 30. Who taught the Pilgrims how to hunt, farm, and fish? 31. What holiday do we trace back to the Pilgrims at Plymouth?

A. Puritans in Massachusetts The year 1630 marked the beginning of the Great Migration, when thousands of Puritans crossed the Atlantic to New England. Represented by John Winthrop, the Puritans received a charter in 1629 to form the Massachusetts Bay Company. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was well-organized, with plenty of food, clothing, tools, and livestock.

B. “A City Upon a Hill” Puritans hoped Massachusetts Bay would be a Christian model for the rest of the world—like “a city upon a hill.” Strict laws forbidding dancing, sports, and games were passed by the General Court, and everyone, even nonmembers, had to attend long Sunday church services. Puritans did not believe in toleration—the acceptance of different beliefs.

C. A New Colony in Rhode Island Roger Williams was a minister with “dangerous ideas”: Separation of church and state Paying Native Americans for land Allowing people to follow their conscience Williams and others formed the colony of Rhode Island. One resident of Rhode Island, Anne Hutchinson, argued that people should speak to God directly, not through ministers or the church.

D. West to Connecticut A minister named Thomas Hooker led his congregation to Connecticut, where they built a town called Hartford. He helped work out the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first American constitution, or plan of government, to be written. In 1662 Connecticut became a separate colony; New Hampshire followed in 1680.

E. Clashes with Native Americans As more settlers arrived in New England, they took over Native American lands. Epidemic diseases caused the Native American population to decline. Puritans also tried to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and change their way of life.

F. Two Wars In Connecticut, the Pequot Wars of the 1630s led to the near extinction of the Pequot tribe. In the 1670s, the Wampanoag chief Metacomet (called King Philip by the English) led neighboring tribes against the colonists. In 1676, Metacomet was killed, his wife and son sold into slavery, and King Philip’s War came to an end.

Review: 32. What colony did the Puritans establish? 33. Who was the Puritan leader at Massachusetts Bay? 34. What were three of Roger Williams’ “dangerous” ideas? 35. What colony did Roger Williams establish? 36. Who believed people could speak directly to God without the need for ministers and churches? 37. What colony did Thomas Hooker establish? 38. What is the name of the first constitution to be written in the Americas?