Settlement of Plymouth

Settlement of Plymouth

Religious Freedom

The settlement of Plymouth was begun by people who were seeking religious freedom. The wanted to leave England because King James I declared that everyone in England had no choice but to belong to the Church of England. Those who did not follow his orders were considered Separatists, because they wanted to have a different church.

Multiple Choice

Those who wanted a separate church than the king were called...

• Separatists

• Followers

• Differentists

Separatists

The Separatists wanted to find a place where they were able to practice their own religion. They later became known as the Pilgrims. Before traveling to a new area, the men drafted the Mayflower Compact, which was an agreement of the layout of their future government in order to peacefully live with one another. In September of 1620, they sailed on a ship called the Mayflower, and traveled to what is now Massachusetts (then Cape Cod). It took them two months.

Multiple Choice

The Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts in...

• December

• November

• January

Plymouth

After continuing to sail on the Mayflower, they found an area which they named Plymouth. Soon they began to build houses there. Unfortunately, by the time that the Pilgrims reached the land, it was already winter so they were not able to grow crops and it was very cold. Only about half of the 102 Pilgrims made it to the spring.

Open Ended

About how many Pilgrims made it to the spring?

Squanto

Squanto was a Native American from the tribe, Wampanoags. Fortunately, Squanto knew English because he was originally brought to England by sailors and learned it. He helped the Pilgrims learn how to plant crops, get maple syrup from trees and catch fish for survival. The Pilgrims were extremely thankful for him. Squanto also informed the Pilgrims of a disease that many Native Americans caught from the French and English fishermen. Unfortunately, all of Squanto's tribe passed away from it while he was in England.

Multiple Choice

Squanto was part of what tribe?

• Wampa

• Noags

• Wampanoags

Open Ended

What is one thing that Squanto helped the Pilgrims do?

Massasoit

Massasoit was the chief of the Wampanoags tribe. Squanto assisted in creating an agreement between Massasoit and the Pilgrims. In the agreement, both parties promised not to hurt one another, and that they would help one another from being targeted by other Native American tribes.

Fill in the Blank

Massasoit was the ____ of the Wampanoags tribe.

Thanksgiving

Luckily, during the summer, the Pilgrim's corn ripened as well as other food and plants. They wanted to celebrate the harvest and invited Massasoit to the feast of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags brought various types of food. The feast lasted 3 days. Americans celebrate it today.

Open Ended

How many days did the original Thanksgiving last?

William Bradford

In 1621, William Bradford was elected governor of the colony, and remained it for over 30 years. As years went on, more settlers and other groups came to Plymouth in what is now New England .