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Society and religion in the New England colonies | AP US History | Khan Academy
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Society and religion in the New England colonies | AP US History | Khan Academy

Founding Myths of the United States: Pilgrims vs. Jamestown

Different Narratives of Founding

  • The narrative of America's founding varies by region; in Pennsylvania, it focuses on the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock seeking religious freedom, while Virginia's story centers on adventurers at Jamestown pursuing profit.
  • This contrast highlights differing perspectives on whether early settlers sought religious liberty or economic gain.

Early Settlements and Their Differences

  • Jamestown was established in 1607, followed by the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and then Puritans founding Massachusetts Bay in 1630.
  • Puritans emerged from England with a desire to reform the Church of England, which they viewed as too similar to Catholicism.

Understanding Puritan Beliefs and Migration

Origins and Motivations

  • Puritans criticized Anglican rituals for lacking biblical focus; their goal was to purify rather than separate from the Church of England.
  • Facing persecution due to their dissent against the church-state relationship in England, many Puritans emigrated to America seeking a new life.

The Great Migration

  • In 1620, a group known as the Pilgrims (separatists) landed at Plymouth Rock; by 1630, about 14,000 more Puritans migrated during what is termed the Great Migration.

Distinctions Between Pilgrims and Puritans

Separatists vs. Reformers

  • The Pilgrims were separatists who believed they could not save the Church of England; they aimed for complete separation.
  • In contrast, later arriving Puritans sought to reform the church from within by establishing a model society that would influence England positively.

Leadership Vision

  • John Winthrop envisioned Massachusetts Bay as "a city upon a hill," aiming for it to serve as an example of a righteous society globally.

Life in New England Compared to Virginia

Environmental Influences on Society

  • New England's colder climate and rocky terrain led to different agricultural practices compared to Virginia's plantation economy focused on cash crops like tobacco.

Social Structure

  • New England settlements consisted mainly of family units with fewer indentured servants or enslaved individuals compared to Virginia’s labor system.

Challenges Within New England Society

Religious Intolerance

  • Despite fleeing religious persecution themselves, New England Puritans exhibited intolerance towards dissenters; those who disagreed faced expulsion or execution.

Notable Figures

  • Roger Williams questioned treatment toward Native Americans and was expelled from Massachusetts Bay; he founded Rhode Island as a refuge for religious dissenters. Anne Hutchinson also faced expulsion for her unorthodox preaching.

Conclusion: Exploring Further into New England Life

Next Steps

  • The discussion will continue exploring political aspects and policies regarding Native Americans in future content.
Video description

The New England colonies organized society around the Puritan religion and family farming. In this video, Kim Kutz Elliott explores New England settlers' reasons for immigrating to North America and their farming and fishing economy. View more lessons or practice this subject at https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/v/society-and-religion-in-the-new-england-colonies?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=apushistory Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. We offer quizzes, questions, instructional videos, and articles on a range of academic subjects, including math, biology, chemistry, physics, history, economics, finance, grammar, preschool learning, and more. We provide teachers with tools and data so they can help their students develop the skills, habits, and mindsets for success in school and beyond. Khan Academy has been translated into dozens of languages, and 15 million people around the globe learn on Khan Academy every month. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we would love your help! Donate or volunteer today! Donate here: https://www.khanacademy.org/donate?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc Volunteer here: https://www.khanacademy.org/contribute?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=desc