Pilgrims, Puritans, and Slaves Honors U.S. History

Indentured Servitude In exchange for a free trip, you work seven years for the person who pays your way –After seven years, you get your freedom –Fifty acres of your own land –You’re not treated like a slave –Nearly half of indentured servants died before seven years Europe does not allow many opportunities for advancement or land ownership

The Headright System As a landowner, each indentured servant you sponsor gets you 50 acres of land Problem – The more land you had, the more power you had Problem – There are people who already have a claim to that land (Indians) Problem – If you are a farmer, you need cheaper labor to work it (slaves)

The Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact Created a working political system The government’s power comes from those governed, not God Received help from Squanto about how to farm

Puritans A group of Christians looking to purify the Anglican Church Persecuted by the English Monarchy so they left Europe Separatists (Pilgrims) left in 1620 aboard the Mayflower Settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts

The Great Puritan Migration 1629 – Massachusetts Bay Colony established by John Winthrop Puritan life revolved around a Covenant with God –Government is a group of people –Work should serve the group –The True Church (Puritan) is always to be served

Northern Colonies vs. Southern Colonies North – Whole families South – Individual males North – Better weather, longer lives, larger families South – Spread out farming communities North – Closer communities North – VERY religious