Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

Bradford’s narrative is unique, because his focus was not on himself, as other writers trying to drum up excitement about the New World often did in their own writings. Instead, Bradford focused on how the Pilgrims, as a community, overcame many obstacles together, with their faith as the focus of their survival. Bradford wrote with a Providential view; that is, he saw their struggles and their accomplishments as being guided by the hand of God.

Throughout his narrative, Bradford highlights many important themes still near and dear to the hearts of Americans today, including the importance of faith, the strength of a united community, perseverance, and the rewards of hard work.

Timeline

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Themes

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Classroom Compact

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TWIST Analysis

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Vocabulary

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Essential Questions for Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

1. How can faith be essential for survival?
2. What makes a community unified? Why is a unified community important?
3. Why is consensus important when establishing a new government?
4. How is the idea of hard work reaping rewards an important facet of the American Dream?
5. What aspects of a narrative makes the narrator reliable? What makes a narrator unreliable?

Who were the Pilgrims?

The Pilgrims were formed from a group of people called Puritans, who had officially left the Church of England because they believed it to be corrupt. [Note for students: Remember, the Church of England was formed when Henry VIII couldn’t get permission from the Pope to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry Lady Anne Boleyn.] The Puritans also believed that the Anglican Church hadn’t gone far enough in severing its ties with Catholicism. The group emigrated to Holland in 1608, but as Bradford writes in Of Plymouth Plantation, there were concerns about the younger people in their group being corrupted by the turmoil of the Dutch fight for independence from Spain. The group was also concerned about a lack of economic opportunities, and the loss of their English identities as they continued to settle into the Dutch society.

Not all of the Pilgrims were Puritan Separatists, however. Of the 102 passengers, only about half were Puritans. The Puritans referred to themselves as “Saints” and the others as “Strangers.”

The Mayflower Compact

The leaders of the small band of people aboard the Mayflower realized that before they debarked, they needed to have a game plan for their government since they had landed without a patent. In particular, William Bradford realized that not every person in their group was willing to respect their desire to establish a new society with their own rules (i.e., the Strangers), which made the Mayflower Compact a necessary document. The Mayflower Compact was signed by a majority of the males on the ship, and is often called the first written constitution. It was viewed as an important precedent for the later writing of the U.S. Constitution.

The Mayflower Compact outlined the following important conditions for the Pilgrims:

• It establishes allegiance to the King and to God.
• It established a common governing body by consent.
• The governing body had the power to enact and enforce just laws.
• The laws would only be established for the good of all of the colonists.
• All parties agreed to follow the laws they established.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

What is 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and why is it important?

Of Plymouth Plantation is William Bradford’s detailed account of the Pilgrims’ journey, settlement, and survival in America. It's considered a vital primary source for understanding the founding of Plymouth Colony and highlights faith, community, and perseverance in early American history.

Who were the Pilgrims and what motivated them to leave England?

The Pilgrims were mainly Puritan Separatists who left England seeking religious freedom and to escape perceived corruption in the Church of England. They wanted to build a new community based on their beliefs and ensure economic opportunity and cultural identity.

What is the Mayflower Compact and why was it created?

The Mayflower Compact was an agreement signed by the majority of males on the Mayflower, establishing a self-governing community. It set important precedents for democracy and was created to maintain order and unity among Pilgrims and non-Puritans ('Saints' and 'Strangers').

How did faith influence the survival of the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony?

Faith played a central role in the Pilgrims’ survival. Bradford’s narrative shows that their religious beliefs provided strength, hope, and a sense of purpose, helping them overcome hardships and build a unified community.

Why is 'Of Plymouth Plantation' a reliable historical source?

William Bradford’s account is valued for its accuracy, firsthand perspective, and focus on communal rather than personal achievements. Historians trust it because Bradford documented events as they happened, making it a critical resource for early colonial history.