What were some accomplishments of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
William Bradford
- 'Mayflower' Voyage. Bradford stayed in the Netherlands for more than a decade, with the idea taking root among the Separatist congregation that they should journey to the New World and ...
- Governor. The Mayflower then sailed for the area called Plymouth, where the settlers set up a permanent community.
- Death. ...
- Fact Check
What are the 13 colonies of Massachusetts?
- American History Glossary
- Clickable map of the 13 Colonies with descriptions of each colony
- Daily Life in the 13 Colonies
- The First European Settlements in America
- Colonial Times
How was Massachusetts Bay larger than Plymouth Colony?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony were combined in 1691 CE when the original Royal charters were replaced. By this time the Plymouth Colony had been partially depopulated by King Phillips War (1675–78 CE) and was much smaller than the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
What is one of Massachusetts Bay Colony slogans?
Whereas the Massachusetts state motto intends to describe idealistic, patriotic values special for Massachusetts: "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty" - Massachusetts state slogans focus especially on attracting tourists, and as you will see, some endeavors are serious in spirit and other are, well, less serious:
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Was the Massachusetts Bay Colony a proprietary colony?
England had difficulty enforcing its laws and regulations in the Massachusetts Bay colony, as it was a joint-stock colony which was unlike the royal colonies and proprietary colonies that the English crown administered.
Was the Massachusetts Bay Colony a northern colony?
The original names of the North Colonies were the Province of New Hampshire, later New Hampshire, the Province of Massachusetts Bay, later Massachusetts and Maine, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, later Rhode Island and the Connecticut Colony, later Connecticut.
Was Massachusetts Bay Colony a theocracy?
IN THE 1630S, ENGLISH PURITANS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY CRE- ATED A SELF-GOVERNMENT THAT WENT FAR BEYOND WHAT EXISTED IN ENGLAND. SOME HISTORIANS ARGUE THAT IT WAS A RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT, OR THEOCRACY.
Which colonies were the Middle colonies?
The middle colonies included Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Advantaged by their central location, the middle colonies served as important distribution centers in the English mercantile system.
When was the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded, and how long did it last?
In 1629 King Charles I of England granted the Massachusetts Bay Company a charter to trade in and colonize the part of New England that lay approxi...
What was the purpose of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
The Puritans who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony intended to set up a society that would accord with what they believed to be God’s wishes. On...
What is the importance of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
By moving the Massachusetts Bay Company’s General Court from England to America, the Puritans converted it from an instrument of the company to a l...
Where was the Massachusetts Bay colony located?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of America around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in southern New ...
What is the name of the colony in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts. Maine. New Hampshire. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628–1691), more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of America around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in ...
How far was the Merrimack River from the colony?
The colonial charter specified that the boundaries were to be from three miles (4.8 km) north of the Merrimack River to three miles south of the southernmost point of the Charles River and thence westward to the "South Sea" (i.e., the Pacific Ocean ). At the time, the course of neither of the rivers was known for any significant length, which eventually led to boundary disputes with the colony's neighbors. The colony's claims were large, but the practicalities of the time meant that they never actually controlled any land further west than the Connecticut River valley. The colony also claimed additional lands by conquest and purchase, further extending the territory that it administered.
Why did the Pilgrims establish Plymouth?
In December 1620, a group of Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony just to the south of Massachusetts Bay, seeking to preserve their cultural identity and attain religious freedom. Plymouth's colonists faced great hardships and earned few profits for their investors, who sold their interests to them in 1627. Edward Winslow and William Bradford were two of the colony's leaders and were likely the authors of a work published in England in 1622 called Mourt's Relation. This book in some ways resembles a promotional tract intended to encourage further immigration. There were other short-lived colonial settlements in 1623 and 1624 at Weymouth, Massachusetts; Thomas Weston's Wessagusset Colony failed, as did an effort by Robert Gorges to establish an overarching colonial structure.
What tribes lived in Massachusetts?
The Pennacooks occupied the Merrimack River valley to the north, and the Nipmucs, Pocumtucs, and Mahicans occupied the western lands of Massachusetts, although some of those tribes were under tribute to the Mohawks, who were expanding aggressively from upstate New York. The total Indigenous population in 1620 has been estimated to be 7,000. This number was significantly larger as late as 1616; in later years, contemporaneous chroniclers interviewed Indigenous people who described a major pestilence which killed as many as two-thirds of the population. The land-use patterns of the Indigenous people included plots cleared for agricultural purposes and woodland territories for hunting game. Land divisions among the tribes were well understood.
Why did the delegates of Massachusetts Bay meet with the Lords of Trade?
Two delegates from Massachusetts Bay were sent to London to meet with the Lords of Trade when the crown threatened the colony with a quo warranto. The Lords demanded a supplementary charter to alleviate problems, but the delegates were under orders that they could not negotiate any change with the Charter and this enraged the Lords. The quo warranto was issued immediately. The King feared that this would stir problems within the colony and attempted to reassure the colonists that their private interests would not be infringed upon. The declaration did create problems, however, and the confrontations increased between the moderates and conservatives. The moderates controlled the office of Governor and the Council of Assistants, and the conservatives controlled the Assembly of Deputies. This political turmoil ended in compromise with the deputies voting to allow the delegates in London to negotiate and defend the colonial charter.
What countries did the Massachusetts Bay colony trade with?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was economically successful, trading with England, Mexico and the West Indies. In addition to barter, transactions were done in English pounds, Spanish "pieces of eight", and wampum in the 1640s.
When did the Boston colonists move to the Massachusetts Bay colony?
In 1632, the colonists officially made Boston the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By 1640 , more than 40,000 English colonists had moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Who founded the Massachusetts Bay Company?
Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Company during the Great Puritan Migration. The Massachusetts Bay Company, which was strongly Puritan, had been conducting business in the New World for a few years as the New England Company. The company then renamed itself the Massachusetts Bay Company, ...
What colony was originally named Colchester?
Salisbury, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638, originally named Colchester, renamed Salisbury in 1640. Sudbury, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638. Haverhill, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1641, originally named Pentucket. More Puritans continued to travel over from England ...
What was the most successful colony in New England?
Massachusetts Bay Colony was a British settlement in Massachusetts in the 17th century. It was the most successful and profitable colony in New England. The following are some facts about the Massachusetts Bay Colony:
What were the names of the four colonies that Puritans inhabited?
More Puritans continued to travel over from England and the number of colonies in New England expanded to a total of four: Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven. These colonies included many villages. Each village consisted of houses, a community garden and a meetinghouse to host church services.
What colony was Boston in?
Boston, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. Roxbury, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. Dorchester, Massachusetts, settled by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. Hull, Massachusetts, settled by members of the Plymouth Colony in 1624, taken over by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, ...
Why was the Massachusetts Bay Colony revoked?
In 1684, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was disheartened to hear its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of the charter’s terms. The list of violations included establishing religious laws, discriminating against Anglicans and Quakers and running an illegal mint.
When was Boston the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
In 1632, Boston was made the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By 1640, hundreds more English Puritans had joined Winthrop and Blackstone in their new colony. By 1750, more than 15,000 colonists lived in Massachusetts.
What was the first major political crisis in Massachusetts Bay?
One of those is known as the "Antinomian Crisis" which resulted in the departure of Anne Hutchinson (1591–1643) from Massachusetts Bay.
Why did the Puritans emigrate to the New World?
While they emigrated to the New World to be able to freely practice their religion, they did not espouse freedom of religion for other settlers.
What was the role of Massachusetts in the American Revolution?
Massachusetts played a key role in the American Revolution. In December 1773, Boston was the site of the famous Boston Tea Party in reaction to the Tea Act that had been passed by the British. Parliament reacted by passing acts to control the colony, including a naval blockade of the harbor.
Where did Winthrop move to?
Within a short time, Winthrop and his group had moved, at the invitation of Winthrop's college friend William Blackstone, to a new location on a nearby peninsula. In 1630, they renamed their settlement Boston after the town they had left in England. In 1632, Boston was made the capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Who were the Puritans fighting against?
In the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Puritans carried out a war of extermination against the Pequots in 1637, and a war of attrition against the Narragansetts. In 1643, the English turned the Narragansett sachem (leader) Miantonomo (1565–1643) over to his enemies, the Mohegan tribe, where he was summarily killed.
Who was the Puritan colonist who was exiled from the colony of Connecticut?
That same year, Roger Williams (1603–1683) was exiled and ended up founding Rhode Island colony.
What was the Massachusetts Bay colony?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony Government (more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 1628–1692) was an English settlement on the east coast of America in the 17th century around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. This government laid many of the cornerstones of ...
Who was the greatest Puritan missionary?
Today the Puritans’ desire to win the natives to Christianity is often met with impatience and smirks. But consider the greatest of the Puritan missionaries, John Eliot, who lived from 1604 to 1690. What Eliot did in order to spread the Christian faith among the Indians almost defies belief.
Did the colonists have contempt for the Indians?
But those injustices have led many Americans to believe that the colonists had nothing but contempt for the American Indian, and sought merely to expel him or “steal” his land.
When was Massachusetts Bay a royal colony?
The province was originally a charter colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1684, when its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of its terms, and it was converted into a royal colony in 1691. British control of all 13 colonies in North America, including the Province of Massachusetts Bay, was eventually overthrown during ...
What is the history of Massachusetts Bay?
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a royal colony in Massachusetts in the 17 th and 18 th century. The province was originally a charter colony called the Massachusetts Bay Colony until 1684, when its charter was revoked due to repeated violations of its terms, and it was converted ...
How many councilors were required to be from the Massachusetts Bay?
Eighteen of the councilors were required to be from the Massachusetts Bay, at least four were required to be from the former Plymouth Colony, at least three were required to be from the former Province of Maine, and at least one was required to be from the territory between the Sagadahoc River and Nova Scotia.
How many people served on the Massachusetts General Court?
Between 1691 and 1780, a total of 3,117 men served on the Massachusetts General Court. These men were mostly farmers, but some were also shopkeepers and small-time merchants. A few were wealthy landowners, merchants and tradesmen. In 1693, some towns cut the number of their representatives from two to one.
What was the difference between the new charter and the old charter?
The first major difference between the new charter and the old charter was that the colonial officials were appointed by the crown, instead of being elected by the colonists . The second major difference was that it changed the voting eligibility requirements from religious qualifications to land ownership.
When was the Massachusetts Bay charter issued?
Charter of the Province: The charter for the Province of Massachusetts Bay was issued by King William and Queen Mary on October 7, 1691. The charter took effect when Sir William Phips arrived in Boston with the new charter on Saturday, May 14, 1692. In addition to converting the Massachusetts Bay Colony into a royal colony, ...
How many towns were there in the colonies in 1776?
As the number of towns within the colony began to increase, so did the number of representatives. By 1776, more than 240 towns qualified for representation and more than 90 percent of these towns elected at least one delegate (Schultz 21.)
What is the coordinates of Massachusetts Bay?
United States. Coordinates. Coordinates: 42°22′30″N 70°44′58″W. / 42.37500°N 70.74944°W / 42.37500; -70.74944. Ocean/sea sources. Atlantic Ocean. Basin countries. United States. Massachusetts Bay is a bay on the Atlantic Ocean that forms part of the central coastline of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
Where is the westmost point of Massachusetts Bay?
The westmost point of the bay is at the city of Boston . The northern shore of Massachusetts Bay is rocky and irregular, but the southern shore is low, marshy, and sandy. Along the shores are a number of capes and headlands, and off the coast a number of small islands, especially in the entrance to Boston Harbor.
What are the main inlets of Boston Harbor?
The principal inlets are: on the north coast, Gloucester Harbor, Nahant Bay, Salem Harbor, Marblehead Harbor, and Lynn Harbor, and on the west, Boston Harbor, Dorchester Bay, and Quincy Bay (the two latter being part of the Outer Boston Harbor), and on the south coast, Hingham Bay.
How far apart is Cape Ann?
Description. The bay extends from Cape Ann on the north to Plymouth Harbor on the south, a distance of about 42 miles (68 km). Its northern and southern shores incline toward each other through the entrance to Boston Harbor, where they are about five miles apart. The depth from the base of the triangle to Boston Harbor is about 21 miles (34 km).
Where are munitions dumped in Massachusetts?
Most of them are inert UXO but occasionally they are live. Fishermen have brought a torpedo into Provincetown, Massachusetts, a depth charge into Gloucester, Massachusetts and mustard munitions into New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Where did the Fishermen bring their torpedoes?
Fishermen have brought a torpedo into Provincetown, Massachusetts, a depth charge into Gloucester, Massachusetts and mustard munitions into New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Is Massachusetts Bay part of Maine?
Massachusetts Bay is itself part of the Gulf of Maine, which extends from Nova Scotia south to Cap e Cod Bay. Cape Cod Bay is sometimes considered to be part of Massachusetts Bay. Under this interpretation, the name "Massachusetts Bay" denotes the entire rectangular area of ocean between Cape Ann and Cape Cod .
Overview
The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630–1691), more formally The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, was an English settlement on the east coast of America around the Massachusetts Bay, the northernmost of the several colonies later reorganized as the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The lands of the settlement were in southern New England, with initial settlements on two natural harbors …
History
Before the arrival of European colonists on the eastern shore of New England, the area around Massachusetts Bay was the territory of several Algonquian-speaking peoples, including the Massachusetts, Nausets, and Wampanoags. The Pennacooks occupied the Merrimack River valley to the north, and the Nipmucs, Pocumtucs, and Mahicans occupied the western lands of Massachusetts, altho…
Life
Life could be quite difficult in the early years of the colony. Many colonists lived in fairly crude structures, including dugouts, wigwams, and dirt-floor huts made using wattle and daub construction. Construction improved in later years, and houses began to be sheathed in clapboard, with thatch or plank roofs and wooden chimneys. Wealthier individuals would extend their house by adding a …
Government
The structure of the colonial government changed over the lifetime of the charter. The Puritans established a theocratic government limited to church members. Winthrop, Dudley, the Rev. John Cotton, and other leaders sought to prevent dissenting religious views, and many were banished because of differing religious beliefs, including Roger Williams of Salem and Anne Hutchin…
Economy and trade
In the early years, the colony was highly dependent on the import of staples from England and was supported by the investments of a number of wealthy immigrants. Certain businesses were quick to thrive, notably shipbuilding, fisheries, and the fur and lumber trades. As early as 1632, ships built in the colony began trading with other colonies, England, and foreign ports in Europe. By 1660, the colony's merchant fleet was estimated at 200 ships and, by the end of the century, its …
Demographics
Most of the people who arrived during the first 12 years emigrated from two regions of England. Many of the colonists came from the county of Lincolnshire and East Anglia, northeast of London, and a large group also came from Devon, Somerset, and Dorset in the southwest of England. These areas provided the bulk of the migration, although colonists also came from other regions of England. The pattern of migration often centered around specific Nonconformist clergy who sou…
Geography
The Massachusetts colony was dominated by its rivers and coastline. Major rivers included the Charles and Merrimack, as well as a portion of the Connecticut River, which has been used to transport furs and timbers to Long Island Sound. Cape Ann juts into the Gulf of Maine, providing harbors for fishermen plying the fishing banks to the east, and Boston's harbor provided secure anchorage for seagoing commercial vessels. Development in Maine was restricted to coastal ar…
See also
• History of Massachusetts
• History of the Puritans in North America
• List of colonial governors of Massachusetts
• List of members of the colonial Massachusetts House of Representatives