HISET Social Studies Practice

Which colony was founded by the Pilgrims?

1. Plymouth Colony

2. Jamestown Colony

3. Massachusetts Bay Colony

4. Virginia Colony

The correct answer is: Plymouth Colony

Plymouth Colony was founded by the Pilgrims in 1620 when they arrived on the Mayflower. The Pilgrims were a group of English settlers seeking a place to practice their religion freely, away from the constraints they faced in England. They established Plymouth as a haven for their religious beliefs, making it one of the earliest successful colonies in what would later become the United States. In contrast, Jamestown Colony was established in 1607 by the Virginia Company as a commercial venture, not by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded in 1630 by Puritans, who, while also seeking religious freedom, were distinct from the Pilgrims in their beliefs and practices. Virginia Colony, like Jamestown, was primarily focused on economic opportunities and the cultivation of tobacco. Thus, Plymouth Colony is uniquely associated with the Pilgrims' journey and their desire for religious autonomy.