The Colonies of New England Puritans and Pilgrims
Escaping Religious Persecution Puritans were people who felt that the Anglican Church was too much like the Catholic Church. A group of Puritans, called the Pilgrims, were persecuted because of their beliefs. They came to North America to escape religious persecution.
The Pilgrims Land at Plymouth This group of Pilgrims landed in 1620 and created the second permanent English settlement in North America. In 1629, the Massachusetts Bay Company was chartered. Between 1630-1640, 20,000 people went to the Massachusetts Bay Colony of New England, called the Great Migration.
A “City Upon A Hill” The Puritans believed they had a special agreement with God. Their part was to create a moral society, which would provide a beacon for others to follow.
Religious Dissent in the Puritan Community Some Colonists believed that forced religion was wrong. Dissenters were Rodger Williams and Ann Hutchinson. Rodger Williams founded Rhode Island, which guaranteed freedom of religion. Anne Hutchinson was banished from Massachusetts as well.