How Did William Bradford Influence The Spread Of Plymouth Plantation

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William Bradford traveled to Plymouth on the Mayflower to escape religious persecution as part of the separatist movement. He wrote Of Plymouth Plantation over many years as an account of the early years of his new colony and an explanation as to why he left England. Chapter one engages readers interest by discussing the reason for escaping England. According to Bradford, papacy was evil and England was the first country to become enlightened by “the light of the gospel.” Those considered puritans were exiled, persecuted, and had their homes watched by officers to ensure that they would not participate in ceremonies or practice freedom of religion. Bradford read the Bible every day when he was young and wanted a better life where he could believe …show more content…

A year after landing in Plymouth, Bradford was made governor and ruled for over 30 years. He based his laws and practices upon what Puritans believed; dependence on God for survival as well as a pure society, which England clearly lacked. (Wakesman) Bradford found that the non-Separatists on the Mayflower whom wanted to live according to themselves, was an issue for him (Bradford and Paget, 1998). Even though they had landed outside of the jurisdiction that Bradford and other leaders agreed upon with English investors, Bradford was still determined to pay back his debt and live as a puritan society. William Bradford was responsible for finding a source of income for members of the new founded colony to survive. He soon discovered that subsistence agriculture was the most reliable foundation. This provided enough food for the farmers and their families without the ability to trade. Bradford decided to give each settler an amount of land that they could use to make ends meet. Then in 1627, Bradford and four others took responsibility for the debt that the colony had created to the merchants who facilitated their immigration in hopes of a monopoly including fur trade and fishing industries. Unfortunately, Bradford could not keep