Plymouth Colony

Definition

Plymouth Colony was one of the earliest successful English settlements in North America, established in December 1620 by a group of English Puritans known as the Pilgrims. This colony became a crucial part of early colonial history, showcasing the struggle for religious freedom, self-governance, and the interactions between European settlers and Native Americans.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plymouth Colony was founded after the Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Mayflower, landing at what is now Cape Cod in November 1620.
2. The colony faced severe hardships during its first winter, resulting in the death of nearly half of its initial settlers due to starvation and disease.
3. The relationship with the Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit, was vital for the colony's survival, leading to mutual aid during tough times.
4. Plymouth Colony is famously associated with the first Thanksgiving in 1621, which celebrated the harvest and marked a moment of cooperation between the Pilgrims and Native Americans.
5. In 1691, Plymouth Colony merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, leading to its eventual dissolution as an independent entity.

Review Questions

• How did the Mayflower Compact influence the governance structure in Plymouth Colony?
  • The Mayflower Compact established a framework for self-governance in Plymouth Colony by creating a social contract among the settlers. It set a precedent for democratic principles where decisions would be made by majority rule, laying the groundwork for future forms of governance in America. This document highlighted the importance of consent and collective agreement in governing a community, which became a cornerstone of American democracy.
• Discuss the impact of relationships between the Pilgrims and Native Americans on Plymouth Colony's development.
  • The interactions between the Pilgrims and Native Americans were crucial for Plymouth Colony's development, particularly through their alliance with the Wampanoag tribe. This relationship provided essential support such as food and agricultural knowledge that helped the settlers survive their first years. The cooperation culminated in shared celebrations like Thanksgiving but also sowed seeds for future conflicts as colonial expansion increased pressure on Native lands.
• Evaluate how Plymouth Colony's founding principles and experiences contributed to shaping American identity in subsequent generations.
  • Plymouth Colony's founding principles—especially those around religious freedom and self-governance—significantly influenced American identity. The Pilgrims' pursuit of a place to practice their beliefs without persecution became a central theme in American culture and political philosophy. Their experiences also established early examples of community cooperation and governance by consent, which would echo throughout American history as later generations sought to define democracy, rights, and freedoms against tyranny.

Related terms

Mayflower Compact: A foundational document created by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620, establishing a basic form of government based on majority rule and consent.

Puritans: A religious group that sought to purify the Church of England, many of whom settled in New England for religious freedom and to escape persecution.

Wampanoag: A Native American tribe that inhabited the region around Plymouth and played a critical role in the survival of the Pilgrims through their assistance and trade.