Massachusetts Bay Colony

Definition

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement established on the east coast of North America during the early 17th century. It was founded by Puritan settlers seeking to establish a pure church in the New World.

Related terms

Puritans: A group of English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England from all Roman Catholic practices, believing that only God could forgive individuals for their sins.

John Winthrop: He served as governor for over a decade; his vision outlined in "A Model Of Christian Charity" was for the colony to be a "city upon a hill," an example of Christian virtue.

Great Migration: The movement of 6,000 Puritans from England to North America from 1629 to 1640, largely due to religious persecution and economic hardships in England.