Changes

The first smaller group, the Pilgrims, set sail from Plymouth, England and intended to land near the mouth of the Hudson River (now New York City), which was the northern part of the Virginia Company's territory.  But their ship, the "Mayflower", was blown off course and they landed up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts in 1620.  Outside of any official government, they decided on their boat to establish the first civil government in North America by signing the Mayflower Compact.  They landed in December, and half of the people died due to disease in their first New England winter.  But the following spring a friendly Indian introduced them to corn, or maize, the marvelous food discovered by Indians.   

The first smaller group, the Pilgrims, set sail from Plymouth, England and intended to land near the mouth of the Hudson River (now New York City), which was the northern part of the Virginia Company's territory.  But their ship, the "Mayflower", was blown off course and they landed up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts in 1620.  Outside of any official government, they decided on their boat to establish the first civil government in North America by signing the Mayflower Compact.  They landed in December, and half of the people died due to disease in their first New England winter.  But the following spring a friendly Indian introduced them to corn, or maize, the marvelous food discovered by Indians.   

The Pilgrims had a plentiful harvest that fall, and celebrated their first Thanksgiving with the Indians.  In 1623, their new Governor [[William Bradford]] gave every member a plot of land and allowed the free market to develop.  By 1624, the community was doing so well that it was actually making more food than it could consume and began exporting its corn.  [[William Bradford]] and [[Edward Winslow]] kept diaries during the settling of Plymouth, which are recorded in a small, but fascinating book called ''Mourt's Relation''.

The Pilgrims had a plentiful harvest that fall, and celebrated their first Thanksgiving charitably with the Indians.  In 1623, their new Governor [[William Bradford]] gave every member a plot of land and allowed the free market to develop.  By 1624, the community was doing so well that it was actually making more food than it could consume and began exporting its corn.  [[William Bradford]] and Edward Winslow kept diaries during the settling of Plymouth, which are recorded in a short but fascinating book called ''Mourt's Relation''.

Corn is a tremendous contribution by Indians to the world, and it sustains entire countries to this day.  Most of us eat lots of corn; corn is also used to make ethanol fuel, and the rising prices for fuel have caused corn prices to increase, which in turn has caused other food and meat to rise in price because animals depend on corn for food.  But corn did not exist in Europe during the Middle Ages.  Cheap and easy to grow, corn has become one of the most popular foods worldwide, rivaling rice and soybeans.  We can thank the Indians.   

Corn is a tremendous contribution by Indians to the world, and it sustains entire countries to this day.  Most of us eat lots of corn; corn is also used to make ethanol fuel, and the rising prices for fuel have caused corn prices to increase, which in turn has caused other food and meat to rise in price because animals depend on corn for food.  But corn did not exist in Europe during the Middle Ages.  Cheap and easy to grow, corn has become one of the most popular foods worldwide, rivaling rice and soybeans.  We can thank the Indians.   

Encouraged by the success of the Pilgrims, a new group called the [[Massachusetts Bay Company]] obtained a royal charter and sent a larger group of Puritans to settle in New England, this time with the purpose of purifying the [[Church of England]] with a more perfect community than in England itself.  It was well-financed and led by the very capable [[John Winthrop]], who had been trained at Oxford.  They landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1629 and immediately moved to Boston Harbor.  They never looked back, thriving almost immediately despite the harsh winter climate.  Within five years the [[Great Migration]] of religiously motivated settlers followed them from England.  Their numbers and power grew.  By the 1640s, this community was participating in robust trade by sea with England, the West Indies, and on occasion with West Africa.

Encouraged by the success of the Pilgrims, a new group called the [[Massachusetts Bay Company]] obtained a royal charter and sent a larger group of Puritans to settle in New England, this time with the purpose of purifying the [[Church of England]] with a more perfect community than in England itself.  It was well-financed and led by the very capable [[John Winthrop]], who had been trained at Oxford.  They landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1629 and immediately moved to Boston Harbor.  They never looked back, thriving almost immediately despite the harsh winter climate.  Within five years the [[Great Migration]] of religiously motivated settlers followed them from England.  Their numbers and power grew.  By the 1640s, this community was participating in robust trade by sea with England, the West Indies, and on occasion with West Africa.

===Slavery===

===Slavery===

Slavery was used for farming in Virginia, but not in Massachusetts.  There were several reasons for that big difference.  One reason was religion: Massachusetts was initially settled by very devout people.  Another reason was the climate:  Virginia was hot and muggy, while Massachusetts was cold with less farming and more fishing and trade.  A third reason was the difference in the types of settlements:  Massachusetts was settled by close-knit families, while Virginia was settled more by men seeking a new life or profit.

Slavery was used for farming in Virginia, but not in Massachusetts.  There were several reasons for that big difference.  One reason was religion: Massachusetts was initially settled by very devout people.  Another reason was the climate:  Virginia was hot and muggy, while Massachusetts was cold with less farming and more fishing and trade.  A third reason was the difference in the types of settlements:  Massachusetts was settled by close-knit families, while Virginia was settled more by men seeking a new life or profit.