Massachusetts Bay Colony
Definition
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement established on the east coast of North America during the early 17th century. It was founded by Puritan settlers seeking to establish a pure church in the New World.
Analogy
Consider Massachusetts Bay Colony as an exclusive club that only allows members who follow strict rules (Puritan beliefs). If you don't adhere to these rules, you're not welcome - much like how Roger Williams was banished leading him to form Rhode Island.
Related terms
Puritans: A group of English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England from all Roman Catholic practices, believing that only God could forgive individuals for their sins.
John Winthrop: He served as governor for over a decade; his vision outlined in "A Model Of Christian Charity" was for the colony to be a "city upon a hill," an example of Christian virtue.
Great Migration: The movement of 6,000 Puritans from England to North America from 1629 to 1640, largely due to religious persecution and economic hardships in England.
"Massachusetts Bay Colony" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (12)
How did religious beliefs differ between Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony and Quakers in Pennsylvania during colonial times?
What was a primary cause of the Salem Witch Trials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the late 17th century?
In reaction to what prevailing colonial issue did Anne Hutchinson, banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony, found Portsmouth?
Which of the following best describes a key difference between the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Quakers in Pennsylvania?
Who was the Puritan leader who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
Who led the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Great Puritan Migration in the 1630s?
Which influential Puritan leader served multiple terms as Governor in Massachusetts Bay Colony?
Who was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for challenging its religious orthodoxy?
How did religious practices differ between the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony and Quakers of Pennsylvania?
What trend does the establishment of Jamestown (1607) and Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630) share with westward expansion mid-19th century?
Who was the Puritan minister who played a crucial role in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
Which conflict led directly to widespread witch trials and executions in Massachusetts Bay Colony during the late seventeenth-century?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.