Puritans and the Enlightenment

What started it all? Early 1530s: England Catherine of Aragon Henry VIII Anne Bolyen

The Church of England Henry VIII becomes supreme ruler of church Some angry for various reasons Many Catholics in England No separation between government and church Church seemed to remain very Catholic in style

The Continued Struggle Following Henry VIII: Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth Constant switch of official religious beliefs in country Puritan movement begins Various approaches but common goal of “purifying” the church Puritans did NOT want to leave the Church of England; they wished to reform it. The Pilgrims DID want to start their own church. TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

Arrival in America Arrive in the 1600s Established the Massachusetts Bay Colony Want simpler, less ornate worship Believe themselves to be God’s new chosen people Settlement will be “as a City upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.” John Winthrop (1630)

Beliefs All are born corrupted by original sin (idea that all humans are innately sinful, inherited from Adam and Eve) Religious education and obedience offers potential for redemption. Bible is God’s true law and should be followed without question. Government should be based on religious law (See #3)= Theocracy

Beliefs 5. Only the “elect” would be spared from damnation by God. 6. Those who work hard and are thrift and responsible are morally upstanding and have God working within them.

Beliefs 7. Predestination: a pre-determined life Salvation determined by God’s will/laws Unknown fate = always had to work hard Looked for divine signs to see if God approved or not Generated an atmosphere of distrust and paranoia

Puritan Life Practiced public punishment. Legislated morality. Excessive drinking, gambling, adultery were all subject to punishment. Wives and children were expected to obey the fathers. Had very few celebrations. Holidays and celebration were illegal.

Puritan Style Wrote: Plain: Straightforwardness Simplicity Clarity Straightforwardness Simplicity Lack of ornamentation. (in churches, writing, etc.) Wrote: Religious Tracts/Poetry Historical Documents Journals to analyze their Pre-Destination

Hysteria Intolerant of dissenters; inflexible in beliefs Salem Witch Trials- 1692 Belief that devil possession or witchcraft was causing strange behavior Accusations were rampant Religious zeal called for ending devil’s influence 20 deaths, hundreds of arrests

The Shift Have different visions of what constitutes best form of government Enlightenment thinkers: government by people Enlightenment ideals cause colonists to question Puritan thoughts Puritan leaders also ask for rededication to religion as this happens: Sparks First Great Awakening

Enlightenment Beliefs More personal freedoms Move away from predestination Some view God as more reasonable and believe that man can use rationality to understand more about laws of nature. Government should offer protection of basic rights/freedoms in exchange for compliance. Fair election and representation “No Taxation without Representation!”

Effects of Enlightenment Greater focus on education, specifically science Transatlantic conversations between scholars Separation of religion and government Fomented the ideas and leaders of the Revolution

Enlightenment Writings “War of Ideas”: newspapers, pamphlets, and speeches spread to awaken America to independence Usually found in speech/ pamphlets in American Revolution Sought to inspire others to join the cause Persuasive: Full of rhetoric and rhetorical devices Use of humor/mockery

Founding Fathers’ Enlightenment Ideals Helped to ensure religious freedom Set up modern day democracy and elections Challenged people to use ideas and thoughts rather than blind faith

Bibliography http://www.history.com/topics/puritanism http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/purdef.htm http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/people/puritans.html http://www.iep.utm.edu/amer-enl/ https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/slavery-freedom-and-the-struggle-for-empire-1750-1763-5/the-political-climate-of-the-colonies-58/the-american-englightenment-357-10315/