The Puritan migration to Massachusetts Bay Colony shaped early American history. Fleeing religious persecution, 20,000 English Puritans settled in New England between 1630-1640, establishing a theocratic society based on their religious ideals.

Led by John Winthrop, the Puritans founded Boston and other settlements, creating a "City upon a Hill" as a model Christian community. Their beliefs influenced colonial life, emphasizing education, moral uprightness, and civic engagement, laying foundations for American democracy and values.

Puritan Migration and Settlement

The Great Puritan Migration and Founding of Massachusetts Bay

• Great Puritan Migration occurred between 1630 and 1640
• Approximately 20,000 English Puritans traveled to New England
• Fleeing religious persecution under King Charles I and Archbishop William Laud
• Sought to establish a "pure" church in the New World
• Massachusetts Bay Company chartered in 1629 to establish a colony in New England
  • Organized by wealthy Puritan merchants
  • Unique charter allowed company to govern itself in the New World
• John Winthrop led the first group of settlers in 1630 aboard the Arbella

Establishment of Key Settlements

• Boston founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists
  • Became the capital and largest city of Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • Developed into a major port and center of trade
• Salem established in 1626 by Roger Conant and a group of fishermen
  • Originally named Naumkeag after the local Native American tribe
  • Renamed Salem in 1629 (derived from Hebrew word for peace)
  • Became important seaport and site of infamous witch trials in 1692

Growth and Development of the Colony

• Massachusetts Bay Colony expanded rapidly
• Absorbed smaller settlements (Plymouth, Maine)
• Established system of representative government (General Court)
• Developed diverse economy (fishing, shipbuilding, agriculture)
• Faced conflicts with Native Americans (Pequot War, King Philip's War)

Puritan Ideology and Leadership

John Winthrop and the "City upon a Hill" Vision

• John Winthrop served as first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • Elected multiple times between 1630 and 1649
  • Provided strong leadership during early years of settlement
• Delivered famous "City upon a Hill" sermon aboard the Arbella in 1630
  • Emphasized the colony's mission to create a model Christian community
  • Believed their success or failure would be watched by the world
• Winthrop's leadership shaped the colony's religious and political character
  • Enforced strict moral codes
  • Promoted education and civic responsibility

Puritanism and Its Influence on Colonial Life

• Puritanism shaped every aspect of life in Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • Emphasized personal piety, hard work, and moral uprightness
  • Believed in predestination and the concept of visible saints
• Strict moral codes enforced through laws and social pressure
  • Prohibited activities deemed sinful (gambling, dancing, theater)
  • Mandated church attendance and observance of the Sabbath
• Education highly valued as means to read and interpret Scripture
  • Established schools to promote literacy
  • Required towns to provide basic education for children

Congregationalism and Church Governance

• Congregationalism adopted as form of church organization
  • Each congregation autonomous and self-governing
  • Rejected hierarchy of Anglican Church
• Church membership limited to visible saints
  • Individuals required to demonstrate evidence of conversion
  • Resulted in creation of halfway covenant in 1662
• Close relationship between church and civil government
  • Only church members allowed to vote or hold office initially
  • Led to conflicts over religious freedom and tolerance

Puritan Institutions

Establishment of Harvard College and Education System

• Harvard College founded in 1636
  • Oldest institution of higher learning in North America
  • Initially established to train Puritan ministers
  • Named after John Harvard, who bequeathed his library and half his estate
• Curriculum focused on classical languages, rhetoric, and theology
  • Prepared students for careers in ministry, law, and government
• Massachusetts required towns to establish schools
  • 1647 Old Deluder Satan Act mandated elementary schools in towns of 50+ families
  • Grammar schools required in towns of 100+ families
  • Promoted high literacy rates in New England

The New England Way and Social Order

• New England Way referred to the distinctive Puritan social and religious system
  • Emphasized communal responsibility and social harmony
  • Structured society around family, church, and community
• Hierarchical social order based on wealth, education, and religious status
  • Ministers and magistrates at the top
  • Followed by merchants, artisans, and yeoman farmers
  • Indentured servants and slaves at the bottom
• Strong emphasis on family as basic unit of society
  • Patriarchal structure with father as head of household
  • Women's roles primarily domestic but valued within Puritan theology
• Town meetings served as form of local government
  • Adult male property owners participated in decision-making
  • Fostered tradition of democratic participation

Economic and Legal Institutions

• Developed mixed economy based on agriculture, fishing, and trade
  • Shipbuilding industry grew rapidly
  • Engaged in triangular trade with England and West Indies
• Established system of laws based on Biblical principles
  • Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641) codified legal rights and procedures
  • Capital crimes included blasphemy, witchcraft, and adultery
• Land distribution system promoted orderly settlement
  • Towns granted land by colonial government
  • Individual families received plots within town boundaries
  • Common lands set aside for grazing and community use