Puritan Society Calvinism- (John Calvin) 1536, Institutes of the Christian Religion
I. God was all powerful & humans weak because of initial sin II. Destiny was predetermined- elect & damned III. No one could live a life of recklessness & sin
IV. Visible Saints- 1. Sought sign of salvation from god 2. Became an example of morality for others to follow
V. Puritans- “City Upon A Hill”
Origins of Puritans & Congregationalist I. Charles I (1625) rules without Parliament II. Puritans are persecuted
III. (1629) Puritan leaders (12) purchase trading company - Massachusetts Bay Company IV. (1629) Receive charter a.1630- 17ships & 1,000 settlers b. Within 10 yrs. 20,000 settlers
Congregationalist I. Puritan society organized around church II. 1647 Massachusetts education law- towns of 100 or more had to provide high school
III. Ministers elected by church- reform, preach & teach IV.Congregation- final authority
V.Massachusetts Bay Company a. Charter did not mention specific location b. John Winthrop (1st) governor carried charter across Atlantic
c. Transformed charter into a commonwealth- self governing political body
VI. Right of suffrage (franchise) a. Shareholders/ freemen- general court & power of colony b. 1631- passed law that only allowed church members into the court due to growth & number of freemen
C. Generalcourt- still too big- each town elected two members d. General court- became colonial legislature with power to pass laws
VII. Fundamental Orders a. Settlers wanted more freedom & land b. Minister Thomas Hooker- followed settlers to Connecticut c. Fundamental Orders- developed in the commonwealth & congregationalist tradition
Puritan Effects on American Society Covenanting tradition / forming governments & constitutions
II. Moral Attitudes & beliefs
III. American exceptionalism
IV. American sense of mission- diplomacy & foreign policy