Massachusetts Bay Company

Definition

The Massachusetts Bay Company was a joint-stock company granted a royal charter in 1629 to establish a colony in New England. It played a crucial role in the English settlement of America, leading to the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the city of Boston.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Massachusetts Bay Company was granted a royal charter by King Charles I in 1629, giving it the authority to establish a colony in New England.
2. The company was led by Puritan colonists who sought to create a model Puritan society in the New World, free from the religious and political constraints of England.
3. The Massachusetts Bay Colony quickly became one of the most successful and influential English colonies in North America, with the city of Boston as its capital.
4. The company's governing structure and system of local self-government served as a model for other English colonies in the region, contributing to the development of representative democracy in America.
5. The Massachusetts Bay Company's control over the colony gradually diminished over time, leading to increased tensions between the colony and the English crown.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features and purpose of the Massachusetts Bay Company.
  • The Massachusetts Bay Company was a joint-stock company granted a royal charter by King Charles I in 1629 to establish a colony in New England. The company was led by Puritan colonists who sought to create a model Puritan society in the New World, free from the religious and political constraints of England. The company's governing structure and system of local self-government played a significant role in the development of representative democracy in America, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony quickly became one of the most successful and influential English colonies in North America.
• Explain the relationship between the Massachusetts Bay Company and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
  • The Massachusetts Bay Company was the driving force behind the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The company was granted a royal charter to settle the colony, and it provided the resources, organization, and leadership necessary to found and govern the colony. The company's governing structure and system of local self-government were instrumental in shaping the political and social institutions of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over time, the company's control over the colony diminished, leading to increased tensions between the colony and the English crown.
• Analyze the significance of the Massachusetts Bay Company's role in the English settlement of America.
  • The Massachusetts Bay Company played a pivotal role in the English settlement of America. By establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the company laid the foundation for one of the most successful and influential English colonies in North America. The company's governing structure and system of local self-government served as a model for other colonies, contributing to the development of representative democracy in America. Additionally, the Puritan colonists who led the company sought to create a model Puritan society in the New World, which had a lasting impact on the cultural and religious landscape of the region. The Massachusetts Bay Company's influence was far-reaching, shaping the course of English colonization and the eventual formation of the United States.

Related terms

Joint-Stock Company: A type of corporation where ownership is divided into transferable shares, allowing investors to buy and sell portions of the company.

Royal Charter: A formal document issued by a monarch granting special rights or powers to an individual, corporation, or institution.

Massachusetts Bay Colony:

The English colony established by the Massachusetts Bay Company in New England, which later became the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.