Massachusetts Bay Colony Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Massachusetts Bay Colony?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century. It was one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States of America. It was founded by Puritans who wanted to escape religious persecution in England and build a society based on their religious beliefs.The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established in 1630, when a group of Puritans led by John Winthrop arrived from England aboard two ships called the Arbella and Hopewell. This group established a number of settlements along the coast, ultimately forming what is now known as Boston. The colony initially relied heavily upon fishing, farming and trading for its survival but eventually became an important center for shipbuilding and merchant trade, establishing strong economic ties with other colonies in New England and beyond. The Massachusetts Bay Colony had its own government which included a General Court composed of elected representatives from each town. The colony also had its own militia which they used to protect their settlements from Native American attacks as well as to assist in conflicts between other colonies during colonial wars such as King Philip’s War (1675-1678).