Refers to the individuals who migrated from Europe to settle in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries, establishing the first European colonies in what would become the United States.
Related terms
Puritans: A group of English Protestants who sought purity and simplicity in their worship, influencing colonization efforts in New England.
Indentured Servitude: A labor system where individuals agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America or other benefits.
Mayflower Compact: An agreement signed by Pilgrim settlers aboard the Mayflower ship, establishing self-government as they settled at Plymouth Colony.