Plymouth Colony

Definition

Plymouth Colony was one of the earliest successful English colonies in North America, established in 1620 by a group of English Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. This colony is significant not only for its role in early American history but also for the way it exemplified the motivations and challenges of English colonization during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plymouth Colony was founded by about 100 settlers, mostly Pilgrims, who arrived on the Mayflower in December 1620 after a treacherous journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The colony's first winter was extremely harsh, leading to significant loss of life, with nearly half of the settlers perishing due to starvation and disease.
3. The Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest in 1621 with a feast that is often recognized as the first Thanksgiving, which included both settlers and Wampanoag people.
4. Plymouth Colony operated under a self-governing system and created the Mayflower Compact, which laid the groundwork for future democratic governance in America.
5. The colony eventually merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691, marking the end of its status as an independent entity.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of Plymouth Colony reflect the religious motivations of its founders?
  • Plymouth Colony was founded by Pilgrims who sought religious freedom from the Church of England. They faced persecution in England and wanted a place where they could practice their faith without fear. This desire for religious autonomy drove them to undertake the difficult journey across the Atlantic, which highlights how faith influenced their decision to establish a new settlement in North America.
• What role did the Mayflower Compact play in shaping governance in Plymouth Colony?
  • The Mayflower Compact was a pivotal document that established a framework for self-governance among the settlers of Plymouth Colony. Signed aboard the Mayflower, it created a social contract where all male colonists agreed to work together for the good of the colony. This compact laid the foundation for democratic principles and legal governance, demonstrating an early form of collective decision-making in America.
• Evaluate how interactions between Plymouth Colony settlers and Native American tribes like the Wampanoag influenced the colony's survival and development.
  • Interactions between Plymouth Colony settlers and Native American tribes, especially the Wampanoag, were crucial for the colony's survival. The Wampanoag provided essential assistance to the struggling settlers, teaching them agricultural techniques and helping them navigate their new environment. This cooperation not only aided in the initial survival of Plymouth but also led to early alliances that would influence regional dynamics. However, these interactions also set a complex stage for future relations between European settlers and Native Americans.

Related terms

Pilgrims: A group of English settlers who traveled to America seeking religious freedom and founded Plymouth Colony.

Mayflower Compact: An agreement signed by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, establishing a basic form of government for the Plymouth Colony.

Wampanoag:

The Native American tribe that interacted with the Pilgrims and played a key role in the early survival of Plymouth Colony through trade and assistance.