U.S. History 13 Colonies

​The 13 Colonies: New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies

Vocabulary:
Pilgrims: Religious people who traveled to North America in search of religious freedoms
Persecution: Punishment because of beliefs.
Mayflower Compact: Agreement among pilgrims to rule themselves in the new colonies.

​Puritans: English people who did not want to practice Roman Catholic religion.

New England Colonies

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Pilgrims

• Journey on the Mayflower: In 1620, a group of Pilgrims left England on a ship called the Mayflower. They wanted to find a place where they could practice their religion freely without being punished.

• Landing and Hardships: They landed in Plymouth, but the harsh winter made things tough. They had to build homes in the cold, deal with sickness, and find food.

• Help from Squanto: Luckily, a Native American named Squanto came to their aid. He taught them how to plant corn, catch fish, and survive in their new land, which was crucial for their survival.

Founding of Plymouth Colony and the Mayflower Compact

• Setting Up Plymouth Colony: The Pilgrims decided to start a new colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where they set up a simple government to make rules and keep order.

• Mayflower Compact: Before they even landed, they signed the Mayflower Compact. This was an agreement to work together and make fair laws for the good of everyone in the colony.

• Survival and Growth: With Squanto’s help and their own hard work, the Pilgrims grew their colony and celebrated their first successful harvest with a feast, which we now call Thanksgiving

Massachusetts Bay Colony

• Founding by Puritans: The Massachusetts Bay Colony was started in 1630 by Puritans who wanted to create a community based on their religious beliefs. Unlike the Pilgrims, they were looking to build a larger, more organized society.

• John Winthrop’s Leadership: John Winthrop led the Puritans and famously said they wanted to create a “city upon a hill” that would be an example of a good society. They set up a government with limited power, which gave people more say in their local rules.

• Religious Tolerance and Education: The Puritans valued education and hard work. They held town meetings where people could voice their opinions. They also had some religious tolerance compared to other colonies, which helped their community grow strong

Conflict with Native Americans

• King Philip’s War: In the 1670s, tension between the New England colonies and Native Americans led to King Philip’s War. It was a serious conflict that caused a lot of damage and suffering on both sides.

• Impact on Colonies: The war was tough for the settlers, but it showed the importance of working together and having strong local governments. It also highlighted the need to find peaceful ways to solve problems with Native Americans.

• Legacy of Puritans: Even through conflicts, the Puritans' emphasis on education, hard work, and local government left a lasting impact on American society. Their town meetings and dedication to community became important parts of American values.