The landing of the Mayflower in Massachusetts in 1620 brought about the first colonization of America and marked the beginning of what would be a two-century period of racial and cultural homogeneity in Massachusetts. This era also saw the arrival of people with different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, which shaped the development of the Massachusetts economy.
These immigrants, most of them Puritans, came to this land with the goal of establishing "a city upon a hill," as John Winthrop called it.
The Pilgrims
The Pilgrims were an English group that established Plymouth Colony in 1620 as the first permanent European settlement in New England. Also known as "Pilgrim Fathers," these members of Brownist faction of Puritans left England in order to escape religious persecution and found this colony where they could practice their religion freely without interference from authorities.
As they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, the Mayflower was disoriented during its voyage and ultimately made landfall in Massachusetts when its passengers ran out of supplies. While originally intended to settle Virginia, after landing on Cape Cod they decided instead to stay and renamed it Plymouth after John Smith's 1616 expedition had named it Plymouth.
Pilgrims were an eclectic group, yet shared similar beliefs and values. They disapproved of popes, saints and bishops, veneration of relics as well as believing that God chose them to represent him on Earth; furthermore they encouraged hard work as part of personal responsibility.
As colonists struggled to survive a perilous sea voyage and harsh winter, they formed an alliance with Massasoit's Wampanoag tribe of Massasoit's Wampanoags; together, these two communities joined in celebrating what we now refer to as Thanksgiving - their harvest festival held annually since 1621.
Though their lives were marked with hardships, many Pilgrims survived due to their perseverance and the assistance of others around them. Bradford recognized seven original colonists for helping by fetching firewood, dressing and feeding sick individuals, and washing and drying clothes, among other chores. As Bradford noted, pilgrims learned the value of depending on each other as they attempted to build successful colonies.
The Puritans
Plymouth Colony was established in 1620 to protect religious liberty. Its settlers established a democratic society under the terms of the Mayflower Compact. As Plymouth Colony expanded, more English Puritans fled oppressive religious practices back home. Puritans believed that the Anglican Church had not distanced itself enough from Catholicism and sought to "purify" it of Catholic practices; additionally they adopted Calvinist theologies that stressed the autonomy of individual congregations, sermons as central components of worship services and strict adherence to Scripture.
Puritans were firm in their conviction that hard work would bring both earthly and heavenly rewards, thus necessitating all workers to work without distraction, with idleness considered sinful proof that one was not truly saved. Social pressure for them to continue working was high.
An orderly society led to an extremely homogenous Massachusetts population. Most settlers were white middle class Englishmen arriving as family units. Connecticut and New Hampshire, in contrast, saw more immigration from various national backgrounds.
Puritans were also marked by bloodshed during their time. While war was less prevalent than in later periods, settlers still saw battles that caused deaths and the dissolution of numerous settlements, including King Philip's War which raged across all of New England from 1675-1676 and was plagued with multiple disease epidemics that took the lives of hundreds. Yet, even under these adverse circumstances they managed to build an economy founded upon slavery, manufacturing, fishing and farming which ultimately allowed for successful economies based on slavery, manufacturing fishing and farming.
The Colonial Period
Massachusetts was not as blessed by nature as Virginia or South Carolina, relying instead on fishing, shipbuilding and carrying trade to make its wealth. Unfortunately this left it vulnerable to wartime and seaborne invasion as well as trading restrictions from Britain that significantly limited economic development in Massachusetts.
Despite these constraints, colonists formed numerous incorporated institutions; scientific, charitable and medical societies; the first state bank; academies; bridge corporations and even an inaugural ferry across Charles River were created. With enthusiasm and pride they immersed themselves in these activities.
However this success did not shield the state from social and economic hardship caused by war, disease epidemics, political rivalries, mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials or adapting to royal authority.
During this turbulent period, the Massachusetts Bay Company's charter expired and control of the colony passed directly to those living within its towns. At first, members of the original company attempted to rule autocratically; under pressure from other citizens who demanded participation in public affairs, however, they ultimately yielded and elected representatives took on governance responsibilities.
Massachusetts began its postwar adjustments under a fragile economy, massive war debts and an unfair system of taxation that favored merchants and financiers over farmers. Furthermore, it faced the unique challenge of adapting to peace and prosperity without guidance from England's Parliament for the first time in its history.
At this point, Lawrence and Lowell witnessed their first textile mills opening, sparking off a revolution that would transform these cities into great manufacturing hubs. Francis Cabot Lowell created the power loom which revolutionized textile production and would ultimately transform these cities into major manufacturing centers.
The Revolutionary Period
Massachusetts was transformed by its Revolutionary Period, marked by great growth and change. Wars broke out across the nation and many Massachusetts citizens participated in them. Furthermore, conflicts intensified between Massachusetts and Britain over who would control which colonies, eventually culminating in outright conflict between them and Massachusetts.
By the 1760s, Massachusetts had established itself as one of the most prosperous and successful colonies in British America; yet it also became a hub of anti-British sentiment.
Colonists were fierce opponents of new English taxes for revenue and imperial policies that restricted trade, resorting to boycotts, riots, propaganda and coercion as ways of protest. One significant event came about in December 1773 when members of the the Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians boarded British ships disguised as Indians and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against taxing and monopolistic policies implemented by English crown. Parliament responded swiftly by passing Coercive Acts (or Intolerable Acts in America).
Massachusetts patriots responded by initiating a state-wide boycott of British goods, and this movement soon spread throughout 24 other towns, depriving the British of much needed revenue and further fanning the flames of rebellion.
After the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts underwent a remarkable transformation into a Federalist society. Those in control of Massachusetts' commercial, manufacturing, and financial interests rallied vigorously behind the Constitution; they won majority votes at both state ratifying conventions as well as at national ratifying conventions; they created two-party political systems supported by most residents; they even formed two-party systems to compete within each of those systems.
The 19th Century
Massachusetts has played a prominent role in American history for centuries - from the Salem Witch Trials and 1770's Boston Massacre and Tea Party, to more recently hosting numerous other significant events like those listed below. Massachusetts was at the forefront of the American Independence Movement from its earliest beginnings, leading the charge against British Redcoats at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Some key leaders such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock hailed from this state. Massachusetts was an outspoken advocate of our current national Constitution when it was presented for ratification here in 1780, while town governments were charged with expanding their mandate in response to wartime needs.
Prior to the American Revolution, Massachusetts experienced steady yet uneven economic development. At the same time, however, four of England and France's major imperial conflicts over control of trans-Appalachia played out during this timeframe; together with colonial adjustments under royal authority as well as participation in these four great wars from 17th century warfare; they contributed greatly to social, political, and religious tensions within Massachusetts during this period.
At the conclusion of the Revolutionary era, America found itself with a fresh start - with a new national government and economy, Massachusetts underwent significant change as religious fervor was replaced with more liberal and socially conscious attitudes. Conservatism remains prevalent but often mixed with progressive thinking for an open and diverse atmosphere to live in.
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