Massachusetts, the Founding of a Nation by Northern Rose

Many states argue over who had the first English colony on American soil. One of these states is Massachusetts. The first English settlers in Massachusetts were the Pilgrims who came in 1620. These were a peoples who left England to escape religious persecution. The thing about this group was, unlike many other hopeful colonists, the Pilgrims left England with the intention of returning at some later date. Unfortunately, most of these Pilgrims would pass on before this opportunity arose.

The Pilgrims were soon followed by a group called the Puritans. The Puritans were also a group that escaped religious persecution in England, yet they traveled to Massachusetts with the intention of establishing the 'ideal religious society.' By 1630 they had established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the heart of which was located in present day Boston. One very interesting bit about these Puritans is that they exiled many people who did not agree with their Puritan beliefs, these exiles usually took place after a public flogging. The most famous person to be exiled was Roger Williams who would found the colony of Rhode Island.

Massachusetts is probably most famous for what we call the Salem witch trials. From February of 1692 to May of 1693, more than two hundred men and women were accused and tried for being a witch (or warlock). Neighbor turned on neighbor in the hopes that they themselves would not be accused. nineteen people (fourteen women and five men) were found guilty and were hung. At least five people died in jail. The most famous case of all might be that of Giles Corey who was crushed to death (one form of torture was to lay large stones on top of the chest of the accused) for refusing to plead. These Salem witch trials were probably the biggest and most well known case of mass hysteria in colonial America.

The next big events for the colony did not occur until the late 1700's (although Massachusetts proved itself to never be a quiet colony). Massachusetts was the colony that founded the War for Independence against Great Britain. After the French and Indian War ended in 1763, England needed to come up with revenue to pay back its debts. They did so by imposing such acts as the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act. These Acts were part of a larger set of Acts that colonists referred to as the Coercive (aka Intolerable) Acts. The colonists in Massachusetts did not respond to England imposing taxes upon them (which they had every right to do). in 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred. In 1773 the infamous Boston Tea Party occurred. In fact, the Intolerable Acts were a direct response to these events.

In 1775 the conflict reached its boiling point. On April 19, 1775 shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. There would be no going back. This battle began the long road to American freedom. It also inspired the likes of American heroes, such as John Adams, his cousin Samuel, John Hancock, and many others. American would declare Independence in 1775, they would win the war in 1783, and Massachusetts own John Adams would become the first Vice President, and second President, of the United States of America.

The state of Massachusetts has had a long and interesting history, from prosecution to persecution they have seen it all.



By The Northern Rose