The English Colonies of AmericaCHAPTER 3

13 English ColoniesBy 1733, there

were 13 British colonies along the Atlantic coastline.

These are grouped into 3 regions: New England, Middle & Southern Colonies

New England ColoniesThe New England

region included the colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut & New Hampshire.

Middle ColoniesThe 4 Middle

Colonies were New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware.

Southern ColoniesThe 5 Southern

Colonies were Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia.

Massachusetts In the early 1600s,

religion was very important in England.

The king ruled the Church of England (Anglican Church).

However, not everyone agreed with the Church’s practices.

Massachusetts (Puritans) Puritans wanted to “purify”

the Church by making services simpler & doing away with ranks of authority.

Puritans were jailed for not attending Anglican services.

They wanted to move to a land where they could practice their religion freely.

Massachusetts (Mayflower) In 1620, 50 Puritans set

sail for America aboard the Mayflower with the hope of building a perfect society.

During their voyage, they signed an agreement called the “Mayflower Compact” that described the way they would govern themselves in America.

Massachusetts (Plymouth)The Puritans landed at

Plymouth & were welcomed by the Indians.

The Indians taught them to plant crops, trap animals & catch fish.

In 1621, the Puritans shared a 3-day thanksgiving feast with the Indians (This was the 1st Thanksgiving Day).

Massachusetts (Charter)10 years later, the king sent

off a large group of Puritans to America with a charter for the colony of Massachusetts.

The charter stated that the colonists would govern themselves. This allowed the Puritans to build a community governed by the rules of the Bible.