No group has played a more pivotal role in shaping American values than the New England Puritans. The seventeenth-century Puritans contributed to our country's sense of mission, its work ethic, and its moral sensibility. Today, eight...

This instructional activity focuses on the life and trials of Anne Hutchinson, who fought for the rights of women in mid-17th century New England.

Students will examine the Salem witchcraft trials through primary and secondary sources with an emphasis on different viewpoints of the trials.

During the religious upheavals of the 16th century, a body of men and women called Puritans sought to reform the Established Church of England from within. Essentially, they demanded that the rituals and structures associated with Roman...

Use this site to learn the history of the Wampanoag people, natives of the Massachusetts area. Use the links to the left and bottom of the site to obtain more interesting information on this Native American group.

Use this site to learn the history of the Wampanoag people, natives of the Massachusetts area. Use the links to the left and bottom of the site to obtain more interesting information on this Native American group.

Located in Salem, Massachusetts. America's oldest continuously operating museum, founded in 1799. Maritime arts and history; American decorative arts; early American architecture; Asian export art; Asian, Oceanic, African arts and...

John Winthrop rose to power in social, spiritual and political circles and served as Massachusetts state governor for twelve years. His views are documented in "Journal." Click on "John Winthrop Activities" for related materials.

A lesson in the culinary delicacies of the Plymouth Plantation in 1627. In this integrated lesson, young scholars examine the history of foods eaten during this colonial era and prepare an actual meal based on what they have learned....

Since 1938, the U.S. federal government has established that workers are entitled to a base hourly wage. Which workers receive that minimum -- and how much -- has remained a political issue.

This site from the University of Groningen provides a synopsis chronologically written on the ratification of the U.S. Constitution beginning with the first states who accepted the document to pressures exerted by the Federalists to...

This article tells of a prominent Massachusetts lawyer who wrote a series of letters expressing the Loyalist point of view.

Archived news article. A personal account of young female cotton mill workers in Massachusetts during the mid-1800's.

Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a biography of Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802-1887 CE), most noted for her report to the Massachusetts legislature about the inhumane conditions under which the mentally ill are held in prisons. Her report led...

Henry Thoreau left a legacy for people to listen to and defend their consciences. He felt strongly against taxes and avoided as many as possible, but could not escape the poll tax. This is a concise publication identifying Thoreau's...

Strong was born to Caleb and Phebe Strong on January 9, 1745 in Northampton, MA. He received his college education at Harvard, from which he graduated with highest honors in 1764. Like so many of the delegates to the Constitutional...

This article paints a picture of Puritans somewhat different from common myth. Read about their ideas of separation of church and state, and even their love of color.

John Wintrhop's idea of the value of a covenant in social relations that was reflected in the development of the Puritan community.

A brief look at slavery in the New England colonies and the influence that might have had on the Salem witch scare.

Details explaining what the Intolerable Acts were, as well as providing the full text of each act passed by the British Parliament in 1774.

Biographical information and details about the themes and style of Bradstreet's poetry. Includes quotations from her poem "To My Dear and Loving Husband."

The hysteria in Salem which resulted in trials of innocent people accused of witchcraft has invited many theories on why the accusing girls made such claims. Read about the evidence admitted in the trials and the results of the trials....

Find out about the life of the Puritans. Education was important, as well as church attendance. Read about the forms of punishment, and the ways Puritans had fun.

This is an electronic source from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for Shakespeare's complete works. Table of Contents is easily read, as well as all of his works.