The Wordy Shipmates facts for kids
First edition front cover
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| Author | Sarah Vowell |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | History |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Riverhead |
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Publication date
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October 2008 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 272 pp |
| ISBN | 978-1-59448-999-0 |
| OCLC | 213308994 |
The Wordy Shipmates is a book by American writer Sarah Vowell. It was published in October 2008. The book tells the story of early American history. It focuses on the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts, United States. This story takes place in the 1600s and 1700s.
Contents
Exploring Early American History
This book looks at two main groups of Puritans. One group settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The other group settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The book shows how these two groups were different. It also explores important events from their time.
Who Were the Puritans?
The Puritans were a group of people from England. They wanted to practice their religion in a very strict way. They felt that the church in England was not pure enough. Because of this, they faced problems in their home country. Many Puritans decided to leave England. They sailed across the ocean to America. They hoped to build a new society there. They wanted a place where they could worship God freely.
Two Different Puritan Colonies
Sarah Vowell's book highlights the differences between two major Puritan settlements.
- The Plymouth Colony was started by the Pilgrims. They were a group of Puritans who arrived in 1620. They are famous for the first Thanksgiving. Their leaders included William Bradford.
- The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded later, in 1630. This colony was much larger. It had a different leader, John Winthrop. He wanted to create a "city upon a hill." This meant a perfect religious community for the world to see.
The book explores how these two groups, though both Puritan, had different ideas. They had different ways of living and governing their communities.
Key Events in Puritan History
The Wordy Shipmates discusses several important historical moments. These events shaped the early American colonies.
The Pequot War Explained
One major event was the Pequot War. This was a conflict between the English colonists and the Pequot Native American tribe. The war took place in the 1630s. It was a very violent time. The book helps readers understand the causes and effects of this war. It shows the difficult relationships between the settlers and Native Americans.
Banishment of Roger Williams
The book also talks about Roger Williams. He was a Puritan minister. However, he had different ideas from the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He believed in religious freedom for everyone. He also thought that the land belonged to the Native Americans. Because of his views, he was banished, or sent away, from the colony. He later founded the colony of Rhode Island. This new colony allowed more religious freedom.
Anne Hutchinson's Story
Another important person in the book is Anne Hutchinson. She was a strong and intelligent woman. She also had different religious beliefs than the colony's leaders. She held meetings in her home to discuss religion. This was seen as a challenge to the male leaders. Like Roger Williams, she was also banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her story shows the challenges faced by those who questioned authority in early Puritan society.
Why This Book Matters
The Wordy Shipmates helps young readers understand a key part of American history. It shows how the ideas and actions of early settlers shaped the country. It also explores themes like religious freedom, community, and conflict. Sarah Vowell uses her unique writing style to make history interesting and easy to understand.
