Departure for America

Departure for the ‘New World’

From 1620 a part of the Pilgrim community emigrated from Leiden to North America. There were several reasons for leaving. The freedom of religion was limited in the Netherlands too. On top of that the threat of war loomed large, because of the end of the Twelve Year Truce with Spain in 1621. The economic situation of the Pilgrims was not always very good and finally they were afraid that their children would integrate too much into Dutch life, and the Dutch church. They were right on the last count. More than half of the group remained in Leiden and eventually became indistinguishable from the locals.

Historical ships

The ships that brought the Pilgrims across the Atlantic have become famous: Mayflower (1620), Fortune (1621), Anne and Little James (1623) and the second Mayflower (1629). After that last trip some stragglers made the journey to America on their own.

‘Leiden’ traditions across the water

After arriving in North America the Pilgrims wanted to freely realize their ideals. They tried to find a fitting way to govern themselves. Looking back we can say that the Pilgrims were an essential link in the formation of American society, then and now. Their 'Dutch' years formed on of the bases from which they worked. That is why you can still discern old ‘Leiden’ traditions in the modern USA.