Pilgrims, Plymouth and the Puritans

The Pilgrims•Unlike the settlers from Jamestown, the Pilgrims came for religious reasons. •They wanted religious freedom.

The Pilgrims•They left England and fled to the Netherlands. •They found religious freedom but they didn’t like the Dutch.

The Pilgrims•They made an arrangement with the Virginia Company and were to settle near Jamestown.•However, they were blown off course by wind and landed in present day Cape Cod in December of 1620.

The Pilgrims•As soon as they landed, they realized they were outside of the Virginia Company’s lands and laws.•So they wrote their own called the Mayflower Compact.

The Pilgrims•The Mayflower Compact was a promise that everyone would act in favor of the community and obey the laws set by the community.

The Pilgrims•During the first winter, many Pilgrims died of disease, starvation and the cold.•In the Spring, some Native Americans came to help the Pilgrims.

Help from Squanto and the Native Americans •Squanto and Samoset befriended the Pilgrims and helped teach them to survive. •They grew corn, beans, pumpkins and learned to hunt and fish.

Help from Squanto and the Native Americans •They also helped the Pilgrims make a treaty with the Native American tribe in the area.

The First Thanksgiving

•In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to celebrate the peace between them. •This feast was the first Thanksgiving.

The Puritans•In 1625, Charles I became king of England.•He objected to the Puritans called to reform the church.

The Puritans•So in 1629, the Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Company, received a Charter to start a colony and sailed to North America.

The Puritans•John Winthrop agreed to be the governor of the colony and they settled in a place called Boston. •During the 1630’s more than 15,000 more Puritans would travel to Boston.

Government•John Winthrop helped establish the colony’s laws.•In 1634 settlers would become members of an elected General Court.

Government•Only male members of the church were allowed to vote for the colony governor. •And in later years, voters were required to own property as well.

Government•While the Puritans came to North America so they could practice their religion, they did not tolerate other religions.

Government•They persecuted those who believed differently than they did.•This would help drive the founding of new colonies.