US History

U.S. History Study Guide

and would handle any issues that affected New England as a whole, while each colony in the Confederation remained independent. It was dissolved in 1684 but was significant because it was the first colonial attempt to unify. Neighboring tribes aligned with Philip but he was not able to unify a front like the colonist who had support from a few Native American tribes themselves. The war resulted in the deaths of many on both sides. Not only were entire settlements destroyed, but half of the villages of New England were damaged. In the end, the New England Confederation was key in the colonial victory, the confederation organized a military force which eventually defeated Phillip's forces. King Philip was killed in 1676 finishing the bulk of the war, although some fighting continued until 1678. The power of the Native Americans was permanently broken in New England. Significance • It forever weakened the Native American population in the New England area and the colonist established their influence in the region • The New England Confederation worked together to stop the King Phillip and in doing so, New England formed an identity themselves, outside of being British citizens 4.7 The Half-Way Covenant The half-way covenant was a religious and political compromise that allowed New England children of baptized, but unconverted church members, to be baptized, become church members and have political rights. Early Puritans could only become members of the church after they could report an experience of conversion; this might include a vision, a dream, and good omens. Many never reported a conversion experience, but as adults they were considered church members because they had been baptized, however they were not allowed to have communion, vote or hold office. The Half-Way Covenant increased church membership in the colonies, enforced church control over more people, and worked for the benefit of the church. Although this solution was accepted by most of the churches in New England, it was fought by a vocal few. The practice was abandoned by most churches in the 1700s. Significance • This would lay the seeds for the First Great Awakening • Some colonists would point to this when going through the Salem Witch Trials as God's punishment for sin and God's disapproval SalemWitch Trials In 1692, in Salem Village, (now Danvers, Massachusetts), a number of young girls started acting very oddly. After the extremely religious Puritan community investigated, they found out these young girls

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