University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Massachusetts
During the religious upheavals of the 16th century, a body of men and women called Puritans sought to reform the Established Church of England from within. Essentially, they demanded that the rituals and structures associated with Roman...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Dissent in Massachusetts Bay
The Puritan clergy in Massachusetts Bay colony did not allow religious dissent. Read about the fate of colonists Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams who believed in religious freedom.
Yale University
Explanatory Charter of Massachusetts Bay 1725
The Charter of Massachusetts Bay, digitized by the Avalon Project at Yale Law School.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: New England Colonies
Article explores the religion, government, economics, and history of the New England colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
Digital History
Digital History: Dimensions of Change in Colonial New England
Dissension in Massachusetts Bay Colony resulted in the formation of other New England colonies. Read about their formations, and the impact on the Native Americans in the area.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Massachusetts
During the religious upheavals of the 16th century, a body of men and women called Puritans sought to reform the Established Church of England from within. Essentially, they demanded that the rituals and structures associated with Roman...
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Anne Hutchinson
The National Women's Hall of Fame honors Anne Hutchinson for her early advocation for religious freedom in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
University of California
The History Project: The Antinomian Controversy
One of the most enduring myths in American history is the belief that the Puritans fled to America in search of religious liberty. Unfortunately, this belief is at best only a half-truth, The Puritans were strict religious people who...
Georgetown University
Georgetown University:bay Psalm Book (1640) and New England Primer (1683)
Essay discussing the Bay Psalm Book (1640) and the New England Primer (1683). Topics include: Classroom Issues and Strategies; Major Themes, Historical Perspectives, and Personal Issues; Significant Form, Style, Artistic Conventions;...
Bill Carson
The Pilgrims and the Puritans
Exactly what is the difference between Pilgrims and Puritans? Find out here in this short article.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Puritan Life
Find out about the life of the Puritans. Education was important, as well as church attendance. Read about the forms of punishment, and the ways Puritans had fun.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Witchcraft in Salem
The hysteria in Salem which resulted in trials of innocent people accused of witchcraft has invited many theories on why the accusing girls made such claims. Read about the evidence admitted in the trials and the results of the trials....
Digital History
Digital History: The Puritan Idea of the Covenant
John Wintrhop's idea of the value of a covenant in social relations that was reflected in the development of the Puritan community.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Trial of Anne Hutchinson (1637)
America was not always the "Land of Liberty." In the 1630s, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, questioning Puritan dogma could bring you a world of trouble. It could get you shunned, it could get you ex-communicated, it could even get you...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Edward Randolph Condemns Massachussetts Bay Company
At this site from the University of Groningen you can read Edward Randolph's address to Parliament concerning the rebellious attitude of the colony of Massachusetts as designated as "articles of misdemeanors." Read each of the...
Digital History
Digital History: Regional Contrasts
Read about the populations of the New England colonies as compared to the Southern colonies in the 1600s. See how the numbers of Native Americans decreased dramatically particularly in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Digital History
Digital History: The Puritans
This article paints a picture of Puritans somewhat different from common myth. Read about their ideas of separation of church and state, and even their love of color.
History Tools
History Tools: Winthrop Defends Right of Puritans to Settle on Indian Land [Pdf]
Primary source material with modernized spellings. Passage written by John Winthrop defending the right of Puritans to settle in Massachusetts Bay territory which was already occupied by Native Americans, 1629.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Anne Hutchinson (Spanish)
A review of the events in the life of Anne Hutchinson, a brave, early American settler. Learn how Anne Hutchinson felt about religion and the way people should worship God. (In Spanish)
Other
Winthrop Society
At the online home of the Winthrop Society find information on the early settlers of Massachusetts, the ships that brought them to America, the documents that the colonists lived by, and the Great Migration of Puritans to the New World.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Anne Bradstreet
Basic biographical information about Anne Bradstreet, one of the first poets to write English verse in the American colonies. Content includes two of her poems: "The Prologue" and "To My Dear and Loving Husband."
National Geographic
National Geographic: Witchcraft Hysteria: Salem
Experience the 1692 Salem witch-hunt in a terrifying online trial. Follow a narrative compiled from several Salem witchcraft trial accounts.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Anne Hutchinson: American Women's Movement
This lesson focuses on the life and trials of Anne Hutchinson, who fought for the rights of women in mid-17th century New England.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Witchcraft in Salem
Learners will examine the Salem witchcraft trials through primary and secondary sources with an emphasis on different viewpoints of the trials.