Pilgrim vs. Puritan

Attribute	Pilgrim	Puritan
Religious Beliefs	Separatists from the Church of England	Wanted to purify the Church of England
Migration	Came to America on the Mayflower in 1620	Arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s
Settlement	Established Plymouth Colony	Settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony
Government	Mayflower Compact for self-government	Theocracy with strict religious laws
Lifestyle	Simple living, focused on religious worship	Strict moral code, emphasis on hard work

Origins

The Pilgrims and Puritans were both groups of English Protestants who sought religious freedom in the New World. However, they had different origins and beliefs. The Pilgrims were Separatists who believed in breaking away from the Church of England, while the Puritans wanted to reform the church from within. The Pilgrims were a smaller group who first settled in the Netherlands before sailing to America on the Mayflower in 1620. The Puritans, on the other hand, were a larger group who arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.

Religious Beliefs

Despite their shared Protestant faith, the Pilgrims and Puritans had different religious beliefs and practices. The Pilgrims were more radical in their beliefs, rejecting many of the rituals and traditions of the Church of England. They believed in a simple and pure form of worship, free from the trappings of Catholicism. The Puritans, on the other hand, sought to purify the Church of England from within. They believed in a strict moral code and emphasized the importance of hard work and discipline.

Settlements

Both the Pilgrims and Puritans established settlements in the New World, but their approaches were different. The Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where they established a small, close-knit community. They had a more cooperative relationship with the Native Americans and focused on agriculture and trade. The Puritans, on the other hand, settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where they built larger, more structured communities. They were more focused on building a religiously based society and had a more hierarchical social structure.

Government and Society

The Pilgrims and Puritans had different approaches to government and society. The Pilgrims established a form of self-government with the Mayflower Compact, which was a set of rules for governing their colony. They believed in the importance of individual freedom and democracy. The Puritans, on the other hand, established a theocratic government in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where church and state were closely intertwined. They believed in a strict moral code and enforced it through laws and punishments.

Relationship with Native Americans

Both the Pilgrims and Puritans had interactions with the Native Americans, but their relationships were different. The Pilgrims had a more peaceful relationship with the Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit. They signed treaties and traded with the Native Americans, forming alliances for mutual protection. The Puritans, on the other hand, had a more contentious relationship with the Native Americans. They viewed them as heathens to be converted and often clashed over land and resources.

Legacy

The Pilgrims and Puritans left a lasting legacy in American history. The Pilgrims are often celebrated for their role in the first Thanksgiving and their perseverance in the face of hardship. They are seen as symbols of religious freedom and the American spirit. The Puritans, on the other hand, are remembered for their strict moral code and influence on American society. Their emphasis on hard work, education, and community has shaped the values of the United States.