"For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us." -John Winthrop
The Beginning
On the year 1620, the Mayflower landed on Plymouth. The Mayflower was the first of many ships, such as the Arbella, that carried thousands of Puritans to the New World. The Puritan’s, nicknamed the “separatists,” sought to be a “Modell of Christian Charity.” They broke away from the Church of England and fled to Holland due to oppression by the Church. However, Holland was not a suitable permanent home for the Puritans. They received a land charter for land and the Puritans sailed to America, full of hope. Although the land charter granted them land in Virginia, there was a mishap and they accidentally landed elsewhere. By the 1630s, there was a Great Migration of Puritans in England. Over 14,000 Puritan settlers colonized this land, and became what was to be known as Massachusetts.
On the year 1620, the Mayflower landed on Plymouth. The Mayflower was the first of many ships, such as the Arbella, that carried thousands of Puritans to the New World. The Puritan’s, nicknamed the “separatists,” sought to be a “Modell of Christian Charity.” They broke away from the Church of England and fled to Holland due to oppression by the Church. However, Holland was not a suitable permanent home for the Puritans. They received a land charter for land and the Puritans sailed to America, full of hope. Although the land charter granted them land in Virginia, there was a mishap and they accidentally landed elsewhere. By the 1630s, there was a Great Migration of Puritans in England. Over 14,000 Puritan settlers colonized this land, and became what was to be known as Massachusetts.
Major Settlements (1607-1776)
Some Major settlements were:
Some Major settlements were:
- Boston: The leading mass production and commercial center in the colonies. Boston was a world leader in shipbuilding and the primary port of of the 13 original colonies.
- Plymouth: The landing of the Mayflower and the first permanent settlement of Europeans in New England.
- Quincy: The place where much shipbuilding took place.
- Salem: The origin of the hysteria of the infamous Salem Witch Trials.
Government
With the Mayflower compact, Plymouth was the first to set up a self-governing system. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was allowed to set up their own colony after a charter from King Charles I. John Winthrop ruled the colony as the governor first. Then, in 1634, General Court ruled to create a representative legislative body-a bi-cameral legislature, creating two separate houses. By royal charter in 1691, the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Plymouth Colony joined together to form one colony-the Massachusetts Colony. The Fundamental Orders of Massachusetts was created and this charter established the rules of government, but at the same time gave human rights and freedom to every citizen.
With the Mayflower compact, Plymouth was the first to set up a self-governing system. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was allowed to set up their own colony after a charter from King Charles I. John Winthrop ruled the colony as the governor first. Then, in 1634, General Court ruled to create a representative legislative body-a bi-cameral legislature, creating two separate houses. By royal charter in 1691, the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Plymouth Colony joined together to form one colony-the Massachusetts Colony. The Fundamental Orders of Massachusetts was created and this charter established the rules of government, but at the same time gave human rights and freedom to every citizen.
Agriculture
Just like all the other colonies of America, the people of the Massachusetts colony farmed. However, the soil of the New England Colonies were terrible for farming. The growing seasons were short because of the long winters and the soil was rocky, creating a poor condition to grow crops. Despite their hardships, the people made an effort to farm. Most of them practiced subsistence farming, the farming where they produced just enough food for themselves and sometimes a little extra for their profit. They grew corn, pumpkins, rye, squash, and beans. Indians taught them how to boil maple sap into sugar and the use of honey for sweetening.
Located at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, the Massachusetts Colony depended mainly on the ocean. Whaling distinguished Massachusetts from the first 13 colonies of America. At that time, whaling was an important industry for that whale oil were used for many daily lives . The whale oil provided the essential fuel, the heat and light, for the people of the colonies. Along with whaling, fishing was common. Fishing was a popular industry for profit and food. As they created ports, shipbuilding played a prominent role in Colonial Massachusetts. They depended on success of trades.
Just like all the other colonies of America, the people of the Massachusetts colony farmed. However, the soil of the New England Colonies were terrible for farming. The growing seasons were short because of the long winters and the soil was rocky, creating a poor condition to grow crops. Despite their hardships, the people made an effort to farm. Most of them practiced subsistence farming, the farming where they produced just enough food for themselves and sometimes a little extra for their profit. They grew corn, pumpkins, rye, squash, and beans. Indians taught them how to boil maple sap into sugar and the use of honey for sweetening.
Located at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, the Massachusetts Colony depended mainly on the ocean. Whaling distinguished Massachusetts from the first 13 colonies of America. At that time, whaling was an important industry for that whale oil were used for many daily lives . The whale oil provided the essential fuel, the heat and light, for the people of the colonies. Along with whaling, fishing was common. Fishing was a popular industry for profit and food. As they created ports, shipbuilding played a prominent role in Colonial Massachusetts. They depended on success of trades.
Economy
The economy of Massachusetts was based on their manufacture and industries. They made a lot of trade with England using their ports right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Fur trade and livestock products was a common trade. Their manufacture and export of rum, whiskey and beer also was a way many people made their living. The industry was greatly influenced by the location. The Atlantic Ocean was their greatest natural source. Fishing and whaling along with shipbuilding with the timber they collected was a popular industry of the economy.
The economy of Massachusetts was based on their manufacture and industries. They made a lot of trade with England using their ports right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Fur trade and livestock products was a common trade. Their manufacture and export of rum, whiskey and beer also was a way many people made their living. The industry was greatly influenced by the location. The Atlantic Ocean was their greatest natural source. Fishing and whaling along with shipbuilding with the timber they collected was a popular industry of the economy.
Punishment
For a society to function properly, there has to be strict rules and morals. The people of Massachusetts believed this too. The punishments were especially harsh because the Puritans were very religious. One of the horrific results of one child’s wrong-doing was being burned to death. The 9 year-old boy had accidentally lit fire to a barn. He was punished by being burned to death. Crimes were regarded as violation of God.
For a society to function properly, there has to be strict rules and morals. The people of Massachusetts believed this too. The punishments were especially harsh because the Puritans were very religious. One of the horrific results of one child’s wrong-doing was being burned to death. The 9 year-old boy had accidentally lit fire to a barn. He was punished by being burned to death. Crimes were regarded as violation of God.
Education
Massachusetts was the trailblazer for education in America. The Massachusetts Act of 1642 ruled that it was the responsibility for for masters and parents to teach their children reading and writing. If the children’s education did not meet the criteria of officials, the children could be removed and placed where the child would receive suitable education. The Law of 1647, also known as the Old Deluder Satan Act, which mandated that towns of fifty families must hire a school master who would teach them how to read and write. For towns of a hundred families, there had to be a teacher who could prepare children to attend Harvard College.
Harvard was founded in 1636, and it claims itself to be the "oldest institution of higher education in America." The school's name came from John Harvard, the minister of Charlestown, who had donated half of his money, estate, and his whole library. The college had the first known printing press in the United States. Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard
Massachusetts was the trailblazer for education in America. The Massachusetts Act of 1642 ruled that it was the responsibility for for masters and parents to teach their children reading and writing. If the children’s education did not meet the criteria of officials, the children could be removed and placed where the child would receive suitable education. The Law of 1647, also known as the Old Deluder Satan Act, which mandated that towns of fifty families must hire a school master who would teach them how to read and write. For towns of a hundred families, there had to be a teacher who could prepare children to attend Harvard College.
Harvard was founded in 1636, and it claims itself to be the "oldest institution of higher education in America." The school's name came from John Harvard, the minister of Charlestown, who had donated half of his money, estate, and his whole library. The college had the first known printing press in the United States. Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard
Daily Life
The daily lives of the people of Massachusetts was outlined by religion, social status, and they economic standing. Many workers in Massachusetts were unskilled workers, farmers, peasants, apprentices, servants, and sailors. The majority of these colonists, the lower class, were illiterate and could not cast votes nor hold governmental offices. Life for the people in the lower class was hard. Everyone who could walk had to help with chores and work. The middle class ran small shops and were skilled craftsmen. Theycould vote, but it was highly uncommon for them to hold public office. This middle class ran small shops and were skilled craftsmen. The upper class were wealthy businessmen and aristocrats that ruled the government.
The daily lives of the people of Massachusetts was outlined by religion, social status, and they economic standing. Many workers in Massachusetts were unskilled workers, farmers, peasants, apprentices, servants, and sailors. The majority of these colonists, the lower class, were illiterate and could not cast votes nor hold governmental offices. Life for the people in the lower class was hard. Everyone who could walk had to help with chores and work. The middle class ran small shops and were skilled craftsmen. Theycould vote, but it was highly uncommon for them to hold public office. This middle class ran small shops and were skilled craftsmen. The upper class were wealthy businessmen and aristocrats that ruled the government.
Why to settle in Massachusetts
So why did people settle in Massachusetts even though there were freezing cold winters and poor rocky soil? Well, there are other benefits to Massachusetts that outweigh the disadvantages. The cold winters actually killed off many germs and bacteria and prevented diseases from spreading around. Also, the Atlantic Ocean was a treasure trove for fishing, varying from mackerel, halibut, cod, and many others. Of course, whaling was another industry that flourished in Colonial times, so tough luck if you were Moby Dick. Also, there were great reserves of timber that could be used to build ships. The towering white-pines were perfect for building ship masts and such. Coastal towns and cities flourished from trading and fishing. Speaking of trading, Massachusetts had the largest trading fleet out of the 13 colonies.
So why did people settle in Massachusetts even though there were freezing cold winters and poor rocky soil? Well, there are other benefits to Massachusetts that outweigh the disadvantages. The cold winters actually killed off many germs and bacteria and prevented diseases from spreading around. Also, the Atlantic Ocean was a treasure trove for fishing, varying from mackerel, halibut, cod, and many others. Of course, whaling was another industry that flourished in Colonial times, so tough luck if you were Moby Dick. Also, there were great reserves of timber that could be used to build ships. The towering white-pines were perfect for building ship masts and such. Coastal towns and cities flourished from trading and fishing. Speaking of trading, Massachusetts had the largest trading fleet out of the 13 colonies.