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Why did William Bradford move to the Netherlands?
William Bradford ( c. 19 March 1590 – 9 May 1657) was an English Puritan separatist originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire in Northern England. He moved to Leiden in Holland in order to escape persecution from King James I of England, and then emigrated to the Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower in 1620.
Why did the group of English people leave England for the Netherlands?
They thought the new Church of England was beyond reform. When they felt they could no longer suffer these difficulties in England, they chose to flee to the Dutch Netherlands. There, they could practice their own religion without fear of persecution from the English government or its church.
Why did the settlers of Plymouth leave Holland?
Before ever setting foot in North America, the Pilgrims spent several years living in Holland. Led by William Brewster and John Robinson, the group initially fled to Amsterdam in 1608 to escape religious persecution for holding clandestine services that were not sanctioned by the Church of England.
Why was William Bradford important?
William Bradford, (born March 1590, Austerfield, Yorkshire, England—died May 9, 1657, Plymouth, Massachusetts [U.S.]), governor of the Plymouth colony for 30 years, who helped shape and stabilize the political institutions of the first permanent colony in New England.
Why did they leave England to come to America?
The Pilgrims and Puritans came to America to practice religious freedom. The Separatists, under the leadership of William Bradford, decided to leave England and start a settlement of their own so that they could practice their religion freely.
What did William Bradford do?
What was important to William Bradford?
Bradford was an influential and important Pilgrim figure. He was an important signer of the Mayflower Compact and helped organize the first Thanksgiving. He led an active political life, serving as governor as well as in other political offices for the remainder of his life upon settling Plymouth Colony.
Why did the Pilgrims leave Leiden?
Afraid of losing their identity and therefore their legacy, the pilgrims of Leiden decided to leave behind the harsh conditions of Leiden in search of a new home. They didn’t want to assimilate, or be punished for their beliefs. In the end, they decided to sail to America.