Massachusetts was founded in 1630 by English Puritans seeking religious freedom. It had a strict Puritan society with laws centered around the church. The economy relied on agriculture, fishing, and shipbuilding. Boston became the capital and largest city. In the colonial era, Massachusetts had a social hierarchy without nobility, and women had restricted roles. Communication was initially by horseback or ships, with the first postal service and newspaper establishing in the 1600s.

1. MassachusettsAli MandileMichael Carlson

2. General InformationFounded: 1630 by John Winthrop and others, at Massachusetts Bay Became a State: February 6, 1788 6th state to ratify the ConstitutionColony Named for: Massachusetts tribe word means “large hill place”Major Cities: Boston, Quincy, Plymouth, Salem, Lexington, Concord

3. Climate & GeologyColonists in the New England colonies endured bitterly cold winters and mild summers. Cold winters reduced the spread of disease. Land was flat close to the coastline but became hilly and mountainous farther inland. Soil was generally rocky, making farming difficult.

4. Economy Major Industry: Agriculture (fishing, corn, livestock), Manufacturing (lumbering, shipbuilding) New England's economy was largely dependent on the ocean. Fishing (especially codfish) was most important to the New England economy, though whaling, trapping, shipbuilding, and logging were important also. Eventually, many New England shippers grew wealthy buying slaves from West Africa in return for rum, and selling the slaves to the West Indies in return for molasses. This process was called the "triangular trade."

5. Mass. MapsColonial MapCurrent Map

6. Colonial Mass. FlagRoger Williams stated the cross was a symbol of the antichrist, so John Endicott, the Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, ordered the cross removed from the Colonial Red Ensign. The Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony found Endicott had "exceeded the lymits of his calling" and punished him by forbidding him to hold public office for one year. Then they gave the citizens permission to do as they wanted with the flag design, and without exception, they all removed the crosses from their flags.

7. Current Mass. State FlagOn a white field is a blue shield emblazoned with the image of a Native American, Massachusetts. He holds a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. The arrow is pointing downward representing peace. The white star represents Massachusetts as one of the original thirteen states. Around the shield is a blue ribbon with the motto: "By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty". Above the shield is a arm and sword, representing the first part of the motto. Flag adopted 1915, amended 1971.

8. Map of MassachusettsColonial Mass.Current Mass.

9. All Hail to MassachusettsWords and Music by Arthur J. Marsh (1895-1966)All hail to Massachusetts, the land of the free and the brave! For Bunker Hill and Charlestown, and flag we love to wave: For Lexington and Concord, and the shot heard 'round the world; All hail to Massachusetts, we'll keep her flag unfurled.She stands upright for freedom's light that shines from sea to sea: All hail to Massachusetts! Our country 'tis of thee! All hail to grand old Bay State, the home of the bean and the cod! Where Pilgrims found a landing and gave their thanks to God. A land of opportunity in the good old U.S.A. Where men live long and prosper, and people come to stay. Don't sell her short, but learn to court her industry and stride: All hail to grand old Bay State! The land of Pilgrim's pride! All hail to Massachusetts, renowned in the Hall of Fame! How proudly wave her banners emblazoned with her name! In unity and brotherhood, sons and daughters go hand in hand: All hail to Massachusetts, there is no finer land! It's M-A-S-S-A-C-H-U-S-E-T-T-S. All hail to Massachusetts! All hail! All hail! All hail!

10. Mayflower 162066 day voyage from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, MA

11. 102 passengers: PILGRIMS

12. 41 were Christian Puritans known as Leiden Group: left England seeking religious freedom

13. Plymouth was the second successful permanent English colony in North AmericaThe mayflower compactNovember 21, 1620Official constitution of the Plymouth ColonyFirst written framework of government in the United StatesEstablished to prevent dissent between Puritans and Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower upon arrival

14. Massachusetts bay colonyFounded by John Winthrop, Governor

15. Strict rules

16. “We shall be a city upon a hill”

17. Very religious: PuritanBoston massacreMarch 5, 1770

18. A crowd in Boston threw snowballs at British soldiers

19. 5 people were shot

20. Propaganda was used by Bostonians to depict the British soldiers as opening fire on the crowd, when they may have been acting in self defense against an angry crowd

21. The fact that it was named a “massacre” when only 5 people died also shows the power of the media.How Did Boston get its name?Like a great many towns in New England, Boston has its naming roots in old England. Boston, Massachusetts is named after Boston, Lincolnshire, and is situated about 100 miles north of London on the North Atlantic Sea. Massachusetts began life as the Massachusetts Bay Colony (Company) in 1629.

22. ReligionPilgrims came for religious freedom

23. Puritans came for religious purificationIntolerant of other religionsMany religious groups banned from MAExiled religious dissenters such as Roger Williams and Joseph Hooker, who then founded other colonies

24. Puritan lifeVery strict rules

25. Town centered around the church