Foundational Knowledge

John Winthrop and the Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony and William Bradford and the pilgrims founded the Plymouth Colony.

The Pilgrims were the first settlers in the Massachusetts Colony and established the Plymouth Colony in 1620. They were followed by the Puritans who founded the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1630 under their leader, John Winthrop. 

Massachusetts was founded because the people were trying to escape religious prosecution and hoped to find religious freedom and build a religious community.

The Religion in the Massachusetts Colony was mostly protestant Christians since most of the population were Puritans.

Massachusets was a Charter Colony. This meant that they were governed by a charter that was given to them by the English King, and they could govern themselves as long as they had laws that were in alignment with those of England 

The main type of government in the colony was a Theocracy, which meant that people believed that they should look to God when they made decisions. They also looked up to religious leaders and were self-governed.