1. Religion influenced the settlement and government of the New England Colonies

2.  Seperatists – Protestants who called for a total “Seperation” from the Church of England.  Puritans – only wanted to “purify” or fix the Catholic Church.  The Great Migration – thousands of people left England for the Americas

3.  People on a religious journey, usually fleeing persecution – cruel treatment  1620, the Mayflower landed on Plymouth  Group of settlers signed the Mayflower Compact  Vow to obey laws agreed upon for the good of the colony  Helped establish idea of self government and majority rule in the colonies