The Plymouth Colony
Persecution in England
• Under King Henry VIII, the
Church of England was
very intolerant of some
religious beliefs
• A group of people wanted
to separate from the
Church of England, they
are called the Separatists
• Between 1607 and 1609,
many Separatists settle in
the Netherlands
Separatists Leave for North America
• In 1620, a group of
Separatists leave the
Netherlands seeking
more religious freedom
• Today, these people are
called the Pilgrims
Plymouth
• In September 1620, 100 Pilgrims sailed for
Virginia aboard a ship called Mayflower
• A storm blew them off course and they ended
up in modern day Massachusetts
• They called their home Plymouth, after a port
city in England
The Mayflower Compact
• Since the Pilgrims were not under the control of
the Virginia Company, they created new rules
• Before going ashore, 41 adult men signed and
created the Mayflower Compact, which called for
a government and “just and equal laws”
• Along with the House of Burgesses, the
Mayflower Compact is a second step towards
self-government in the colonies
• The Mayflower Compact was the first document
where colonists claimed to rule themselves
The Mayflower Compact
The First Thanksgiving
• The Pilgrims first winter
was very difficult, half of
the colonists will die
• Local Native American
tribes assist the Pilgrims
and teach them to farm
corn
• The Pilgrims set aside a
day of thanks
• Today’s Thanksgiving
holiday is born