Overview Not everyone in the Massachusetts Bay Colony agreed with Puritan leaders or accepted the colony’s strict religious rules. Some individuals believed that people should have greater religious freedom and that government leaders should not control religious beliefs. These dissenters challenged Puritan authority and were often forced to leave the colony. As they settled elsewhere, … Read more
Overview In the 1630s, thousands of Puritans left England and settled in New England, where they founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Unlike the Pilgrims, who wanted to separate from the Church of England, the Puritans hoped to reform it by creating a model Christian society. Led by John Winthrop, they believed their colony should serve … Read more
Overview The story of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony is one of the most famous chapters in early American history. Seeking the freedom to practice their religion, a group of English settlers known as the Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Mayflower in 1620. After a difficult journey, they established Plymouth Colony in … Read more
Overview When European explorers arrived in the Americas, they did not discover an empty land. Millions of Indigenous peoples had lived throughout North and South America for thousands of years. These communities had developed diverse cultures, languages, governments, economies, and ways of life that were closely connected to their environments. Understanding the people who already … Read more
Overview During the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s, many people left Europe and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. These journeys were often dangerous and difficult, but thousands of people believed the risks were worth taking. Some settlers came in search of economic opportunities, while others hoped to escape religious persecution or gain greater … Read more
Overview Colonial America refers to the period when England established and governed colonies along the eastern coast of North America. Beginning with the founding of Jamestown in 1607 and continuing until the American Revolution, the English colonies grew from small settlements into thriving communities. Colonists built farms, towns, and businesses while developing their own traditions … Read more
