Plymouth Colony Key Terms

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and concepts related to the founding and survival of Plymouth Colony.

Pilgrims

English separatists who left England in search of religious freedom and established Plymouth Colony in 1620.

Separatists

People who wanted to separate from the Church of England to practice their religion independently.

Religious Freedom

The right to practice one's own religion without interference or persecution from the government or others.

William Bradford

The leader of the Pilgrims who helped guide the Plymouth Colony through its early challenges.

Plymouth Rock

The traditional site where the Pilgrims first landed in Massachusetts in November 1620.

Plymouth Colony

One of the first successful English settlements in North America, established by the Pilgrims in present-day Massachusetts.

Wampanoag

The Native American people who lived in the region where Plymouth Colony was established and who formed an alliance with the Pilgrims.

Massasoit

The leader of the Wampanoag who made a peace treaty with the Pilgrims and helped ensure their survival.

Alliance

A partnership or agreement between groups to work together for mutual benefit; the Pilgrims and Wampanoag formed an alliance that helped both groups.

Treaty

A formal agreement between groups or nations; Massasoit and the Pilgrims created a treaty of peace and cooperation.

Mayflower Compact

A governing document created by the Pilgrims in 1620 that established rules for self-government in Plymouth Colony.

Self-Government

The ability of a community to make its own laws and govern itself without outside control.

Democracy

A system of government in which people have a voice in making decisions; the Mayflower Compact was an early example of democratic principles in America.

First Thanksgiving

A harvest celebration in 1621 shared by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag that symbolized cooperation and gratitude between the two groups.

Agriculture

The practice of farming and growing crops; the Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims essential farming techniques.

Fur Trading

The business of buying and selling animal furs, which became an important industry for Plymouth Colony's economy.

Perseverance

The ability to keep trying despite difficulties and hardships; the Pilgrims showed perseverance by surviving the harsh first winter and building a successful colony.

Cooperation

Working together toward a common goal; cooperation between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag was essential for survival.

Colony

A settlement established in a new land by people from another country who remain connected to their homeland.