Puritan Society Evidence Covenant Theology Magistrates Analysis Puritan communities were established in order to aid individuals in achieving grace. Economically speaking, Puritan societies were to work together and individual wealth was seen as decadent and corrupt…CHRISTMAS was banned!!!!! Magistrates God has a chosen few which would be saved (go to heaven). The “Elect” were to be unquestioned leaders of church and community The Magistrate’s job was to enforce God’s Law Analysis Therefore everyone was to be watchful of each other to keep the community pure. NO social deviance. Questioning the magistrates would be seen as social deviance

The Case of Anne Hutchinson Key Question: What “American” ideas were already showing up in the British Colonies? What does Anne Hutchinson’s trial and exile show us about the Puritans? How did Puritan Society start to change over time/

Who was Anne Hutchinson? Puritan nurse and midwife who moved to Massachusetts in 1634 She was the daughter of an English minister, very educated and well-versed in the bible Hutchinson began having Bible Meetings at her house, attended by sometimes 60 people

Anne Hutchinson’s view of Religion God Bible People God Bible Ministers Magistrates People

Magistrates of Massachusetts bring Anne Hutchinson to trial

What problems did the Magistrates have with her? “We see no rule of God for this. We see not that any should have authority to set up any other exercises besides what authority hath already set up and so what hurt comes of this you will be guilty of and we for suffering you.”

What else??? “But now it appears by this woman's meeting that Mrs. Hutchinson hath so forestalled the minds of many by their resort to her meeting that now she hath a potent party in the country. Now if all these things have endangered us as from that foundation and if she in particular hath disparaged all our ministers in the land”

Therefore???? “Therefore if it be the mind of the court that Mrs. Hutchinson for these things that appear before us is unfit for our society, and if it be the mind of the court that she shall be banished out of our liberties and imprisoned till she be sent away, let them hold up their hands. “

Hutchinson and followers left and established new colonies in Rhode Island Wait...how on earth is this story American????? This sounds like what was going on in Europe!!! Lets go back....

Why had the Puritans come? They came for FREEDOM of their religion...not religious tolerance, (Religious toleration more of a 19th & 20th century idea in America)

So why get mad at Hutchison? She had attacked their freedom to follow their religion the way they wanted to! (screw her and her religion) We will defend our freedom fiercely!

What else??? “But now it appears by this woman's meeting that Mrs. Hutchinson hath so forestalled the minds of many by their resort to her meeting that now she hath a potent party in the country. Now if all these things have endangered us as from that foundation and if she in particular hath disparaged all our ministers in the land” She questioned authority, which was seen as a threat to the tight social communities created by the Puritans. These strong social communities will be vital in the Revolution.

Lastly, she was banished and allowed essentially to go off and form her own community Was not just her.... Anne Hutchinson-Portsmouth and Newport Roger Williams (also banished for religious views)-Rhode Island Thomas Hooker (left because of disagreements)-Connecticut John Davenport (also pissed off at Puritan leaders)-New Haven colony

What would have happened to Anne Hutchinson in Europe? BURNED AS A HERETIC!!

What was different about the American Colonies? (CONTEXT)

New England in the 1640’s New England has created a culture of close, religiously FREE communities that did not like being told what to do! AND there was plenty of land for them to go off and do what they wanted to do!

1700 New England CAUSE AND EFFECT 1700’s New England, because of these religious disagreements and ample land, became a place of relative religious diversity AND was very decentralized. Each community had their own sense of SELF-RULE.

Trends that separated the colonies from Europe (England). Religious freedom (not tolerance) Increased political representation for the population Economic opportunity Tight knit communities with civic participation Questioning of central authority

Colonial development of American values: Religious freedom (not tolerance) Community participation and view of society Questioning of central authority Political representation Economic opportunity In your groups, find three pieces of evidence within Colonial America that demonstrate the development of one of the ideas above. Write an analysis connecting specific evidence to the American value above. The evidence should (but does not have to) come from your cards. Make sure you address the idea of CAUSATION in your analysis.

How did Puritan Society change over time? Covenant Theology Half-Way Covenant