THE ENGLISH COLONIZATION OF THE AMERICAS Pilgrims, Puritans, Jamestown and the Massachusetts Bay Colony Michael Quiñones
Making England Bigger England wanted to expand and get larger. England felt pressure to compete against France and Spain. France and Spain had colonies England wanted to take away. England paid for settlers to go to North America which later become the 13 colonies. These colonies became extensions of and controlled by England.
Jamestown, Virginia The first permanent English colony in America was Jamestown. A settlement founded in 1607 by people seeking to succeed and get rich. After Jamestown colonies spread throughout the east coast of America from New Hampshire to Georgia.
Englishmen with new ideas In 1620 a boatload of Englishmen left the oppression of England for America. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established. They hoped for more religious and financial freedom. Before the Pilgrims exited the ship they drafted a document filled with rules called the Mayflower Compact. The rules and regulations were agreed to and signed by all men aboard. This was an example of direct democracy in America. The people were directly involved in deciding the rules without representatives.
What was a Puritan? Someone who came from England starting in the early 1600s. Someone who married, usually with several children. Someone who was extremely devoted to Christianity. Someone who believed in Pure religion based on biblical laws.
Religious Intolerance of the Puritans Starting with the Mayflower Compact in 1620 Massachusetts Puritans decided they would establish laws based on religious beliefs. Strict punishments for committing sins such as adultery (sexual disloyalty to a spouse), fornication (sexual relations outside of marriage), and impiety (not following religious rites, ex. Not attending church, paying tithes, using profanity)were enforced. Public shame, and even torture, was a common practice.
Salem Witch Trials of 1692 In Salem, Massachusetts several women were accused of witchcraft based on spectral evidence (ghosts, spirits and visions). Although the evidence against 20 people was flimsy they were all found guilty then hanged (19) or pressed (1). The colony eventually apologized and admitted mistakes were made. Too little, too late!
Assignment: Wanted Poster Create a wanted poster that describes the crime and person wanted for a religious indiscretion against the people of Massachusetts. Have a name of a person, picture of the person and a description of the crime. Describe the punishment he/she will receive as well as the amount of the reward (the currency was shillings and pounds). Some examples of Puritan religious crimes: impiety, fornication, witchcraft, and adultery.
Word Helper Sovereign-all powerful. Dread-fear, respect greatly. Underwritten-signed. Covenant-sworn promise, agreement. Mutually-together among a group of people. Voyage-journey. Preservation-to save from ruin. Subjects-followers. Aforesaid-already told or written. Virtue-fact or with respect. Constitute-to make, create. Enact-put into action, put into law. Ordinances-local laws, rules. Submission-the act of obeying. Witness-proof of seeing, in presence of. Subscribed-written and followed. Anno Domini-A.D., Year of our Lord, any year after O. Pilgrim-Someone who wants to spread religion.
Word Helper Characteristic-typical, usual. Humility-having humbleness, not conceited or too proud. Avowed-promised, stayed with. Compressed-kept inside. Mirth-laughter, happiness. Infirmity-sickness, weakness. Customary-usual. Dispelling-disproving, refuting, refusing. Scarcely-rarely. Affliction-suffering, punishment. Parochial-religious, or connected to a church. Snobbery-action like a snob, think you are better than someone else. Heathen-unreligious and vulgar person. Homage-very high respect paid to someone. Timorous-shyness. Malicious-vicious, very mean and rude.
Reading assignment: City upon a Hill As we this famous American Puritan sermon write your thoughts about words used to describe the beliefs of the people of Massachusetts about their lives there. Write whether you believe these people are crazy, naïve or just foolish.
Image Sources ii4E/TcCchWkWtLI/AAAAAAAALks/xnFS9ss21PY/s1600/puritans_engraving.jpg ii4E/TcCchWkWtLI/AAAAAAAALks/xnFS9ss21PY/s1600/puritans_engraving.jpg