How were the colonists alike?

Answer 1

During the 1600s, North American colonies had a number of common characteristics. For one thing, they had all been sponsored by, and primarily consisted of members of, European nations. For another thing, they shared quite a few goals, such as gaining access to new resources, developing new commercial or trade routes, establishing an overseas 'presence' in the New World, and furthering national or religious influence (and sometimes both) of a European kind.

Answer 2

The North American colonies in the 1600s were both similar in that they wanted the freedom of religion and to be treated fairly by Great Britain. The political aspects and financial aspects of each of the colonies however were very different.

Answer 3

Pilgrims, who landed at Plymouth, were a 'radical' group of Puritans. Because they had non-Puritans among them and wanted to be peaceful, the Mayflower Compact assigned religious freedom to the colonists, as well as broad political rights. The Puritans of Massachusetts BAy, however, were very religiously intolerant (think Salem Witch Trials). When King James I merged the samller Plymouth with MAssachusetts Bay in 1691, Plymouth was forced to adopt Massachusetts doctrines, and religious tolerance was pretty much out.