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'''Plymouth Colony''', founded in 1620 in what is now [[Massachusetts]], was an early English colony in New England. It was founded by "Pilgrims", who were members of a [[Puritan]] religious group known as the Separatists. It is most famous for introducing [[Thanksgiving]] and, more important, introducing self-government into America through the "Mayflower Compact," signed aboard their ship, the Mayflower.  Plymouth Colony later merged with the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] to form the colony of [[Massachusetts]].

'''Plymouth Colony''' was, along with [[Jamestown, Virginia]], one of two important early English colonies in North America. It was founded in 1620 by the "Pilgrims", members of a [[Puritan]] religious group known as the Separatists. In 1691, it was absorbed by its much larger neighbor, the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]].  At its height, the colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of the modern state of [[Massachusetts]].  

[[Image:Hubbard map 1677.jpg|thumb|right|1677 map of New England by William Hubbard showing the location of Plymouth Colony.  The map is oriented with west at the top.]]'''Plymouth Colony''' (officially '''New Plymouth Colony'''; sometimes called '''The Old Colony''') was an English colony in North America from 1620 until 1691, when it was absorbed by its much larger neighbor, Massachusetts.  At its height, the colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of the modern state of [[Massachusetts]].

[[Image:Hubbard map 1677.jpg|thumb|right|1677 map of New England by William Hubbard showing the location of Plymouth Colony.  The map is oriented with west at the top.]] Officially the '''New Plymouth Colony''' (sometimes called '''The Old Colony'''), Plymouth holds a unique role in American history as the beginnings of the nation's democratic culture through the [[Mayflower Compact]].  Rather than a commercial venture like Jamestown, its citizens sought freedom from religious persecution and a place to settle and worship God in a way they saw fit.  The social and legal systems of the colony were closely tied to strong religious beliefs.

 

 

Plymouth holds a unique role in American history as the beginnings of the nation's democratic culture through the [[Mayflower Compact]].  Rather than a commercial venture like Jamestown, its citizens sought freedom from religious persecution and a place to settle and worship God in a way they saw fit.  The social and legal systems of the colony were closely tied to strong religious beliefs.

Many of the anecdotes and events surrounding Plymouth Colony have become part of American identity, including the tradition of [[Thanksgiving]] and the monument at Plymouth Rock.  Despite the colony's relatively short history, it has become an important clue to what is "American."

Many of the anecdotes and events surrounding Plymouth Colony have become part of American identity, including the tradition of [[Thanksgiving]] and the monument at Plymouth Rock.  Despite the colony's relatively short history, it has become an important clue to what is "American."