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The New England Of North America

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In the early 1600’s, the Eastern Coast of North America proved to be the place where many Englishmen decided to settle after traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. Though many men and women traveled from England, coming from the same ethnicity, what they were seeking varied greatly; their economic, political, religious and social differences were drastically different. Those who migrated here had specific motives which led to different economies. The New England Settlers were in search of religious freedom whereas the Virginians were in search of profit.
New England was founded for religious purposes. (Doc. A) The Puritans were seeking religious freedom from England. Puritans believed in “an all-powerful God” and that God would decide their destiny. Their practice consisted of conversion and those who converted were considered saints. Separatists believed that the Church of England would never break free from the Catholic practices, so they formed their own congregation creating the Plymouth Colony. Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower and headed for America from England landing near the Massachusetts Bay. They all signed a document that bound them to abide by decisions made by the majority. This document is known as the Mayflower Compact.
Plymouth achieved small prosperity, but the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a new and more powerful neighbor, oversaw them. They didn’t accept separatism instead they wanted the Anglican Church reformed.(Doc A.) John Winthrop, A Model of Christian

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