Overview
This lecture covers the Massachusetts Bay Colony from its founding in 1628 by Puritans through its transformation into the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691, focusing on governance, daily life, and relations with the English crown.
Early English Colonization
- English colonization began in the late 1500s but early attempts like Roanoke failed.
- Jamestown was founded in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in North America.
- Massachusetts Bay Colony was established in 1628 by the Massachusetts Bay Company, a group of Puritans seeking religious freedom.
Founding of Massachusetts Bay Colony
- John Winthrop led the colony and referenced a "city upon a hill" to caution colonists that the world was watching.
- Boston, Salem, and Charlestown were key early settlements.
- Living conditions were harsh, with rudimentary shelters and high mortality, but by the next summer about 2,000 settlers arrived.
Government and Society
- The General Court was set up by senior Puritans as the colony’s governing body.
- The Governor’s Court of Assistants handled executive, legislative, and judicial duties.
- No religious freedom was present; Puritan beliefs dominated law and society.
Laws and Daily Life
- The Body of Liberties (1641) listed about 100 laws, some more lenient than English law.
- Punishments included fines, flogging, and public humiliation, with a few executions.
- Laws penalized gambling, dancing in taverns, working on the Sabbath, and celebrating Christmas.
Labor and Slavery
- Severe labor shortages led to the use of indentured servants, many of whom died before their term was up.
- Pequot war captives were enslaved, and the 1641 Body of Liberties sanctioned slavery for war captives and those sold into slavery.
- A defensive pact existed among New England colonies for protection and returning escaped servants/slaves.
Relations with England and Charter Revocation
- The colony operated semi-independently due to England’s domestic concerns.
- After the monarchy was restored in 1660, tensions rose over taxes and royal authority.
- In 1684, the colony’s charter was revoked, and Massachusetts joined the Dominion of New England under royal governor Andros.
- The Dominion ended after the Glorious Revolution in 1688, but a new royal charter in 1691 merged Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies as the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Review Questions (with Answers)
- Who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony? Answer: Puritans, the Massachusetts Bay Company, and John Winthrop (all of the above).
- How did the colony end? Answer: It was combined with Plymouth Colony under a new charter.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Puritans — English Protestants seeking to purify the Church of England, central to the colony’s founding.
- General Court — The main governing body of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- Body of Liberties — The legal code written in 1641 outlining rights and laws for colonists.
- Indentured Servant — A person who worked for a set period to repay passage to the colonies.
- Dominion of New England — A consolidated royal colony including Massachusetts, governed directly by the crown.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main points for understanding the evolution of early colonial governance and the effects of Puritan beliefs on law.
- Prepare for questions regarding key figures, laws, and the transition to royal control.