Who Were the Puritans     And Why Should We Care?

H.L. Mencken’s definition “Puritanism—that sinking feeling that somewhere, somebody is having a good time.”

Textbook Definition The Puritans were a group of English religious radicals who challenged the Church of England which they saw as corrupt. Many Puritans came to America and were instrumental in settling the New England Colonies. They played a major role in shaping the cultural and intellectual traditions of the United States.

WHAT PURITANS BELIEVE Bible is God’s True law and provides a model for living Covenant Theory—God makes covenants w/ people/groups Predestination Concept of “The Elect” (a.k.a.— “saints”) Original Sin Grace: A mystical experience in which God reveals himself to the individual Congregational system

In America: Settlement in and Around “New England”

Two Groups “The Pilgrims” The Puritans—Winthrop Division

The Pilgrims Arrived on Mayflower Settled in Plymouth Separatists Famous Contributions First Thanksgiving Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact "In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."

Importance of Mayflower Compact One of the first documents to create a government where previously none existed Maybe the first roots of Democracy in America?????

The Puritans: Winthrop Division Founded Massachusetts Bay Colony (Boston) Not Separatists “City on A Hill”

John Winthrop—City On A Hill For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken ... we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God ... We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us til we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going.

Winthrop: City on a Hill Part II Idea is they’re setting an example God’s chosen people

Life in Puritan America Unlike Chesapeake, Puritans migrated and lived as families Strict emphasis on Moral Purity Government Existed to Punish Sin Often through physical pain and/or public humiliation Moderation practiced Tended to keep everything very plain, very humble Deviation from the norm not tolerated

Puritan Theology Followed teachings of John Calvin Really big on SIN!!! (they didn’t like it)

Predestination and the Puritans God had already determined who would be saved and who would be damned and nothing you did on Earth could change that? So why be moral? Puritans always looking for signs that they were going the right way EX: If you were wealthy, you obviously had God’s favor. Therefore, being good was a sign you were good which was a good sign!

Grace and The Concept of the Elect In Puritan society “The Elect” were the leaders—only they could participate in church leadership To Be one of the Elect, God had to reveal himself to you—and you essentially had to testify to the other elect to have this confirmed. Therefore, in practice, works were the main way to salvation in Puritan society (and acceptance)

Puritan Life and Activities Things frowned upon/banned Drama (led to sin) Religious Music (distracted from worship) Erotic Poetry (led to sin) Officially Approved Puritan Pursuits Hard Work (Puritan Ethic) Reading the Bible

Puritans and Education Every Town had to support a school Why? Impact? Taught the Greek and Roman Classics\ Encouraged poetry (religious) Founded First College in America—Harvard (you may have heard of it!) Became leaders in printing and poetry

Rebels in The Puritan World Oddly, after Winthrop, the two most famous American Puritans rebelled against the bosses Roger Williams Anne Hutchinson

Roger Williams Kicked out for challenging Authority on Two Main points Felt Church leadership and Government leadership should not mix Felt Indians should be paid for land taken Founded Rhode Island as a haven for Religious Freedom (Puritans called it place “where people think otherwise.”)

Anne Hutchinson Held informal prayer sessions at her home Denounced emphasis on works—said salvation came from faith alone Banished for undercutting the leadership Went to R.I. Eventually killed by Indians in what is now NYC

The Puritans and The Indians Got along well when it suited them, but didn’t really like Indians Much violence/conflict Pequot War—Puritans nearly destroy Pequot tribe—those not killed in raids sold into slavery King Phillip’s War Indians led by Metacomet (aka “King Phillip) worried about whites moving into their territory attack all along New England Frontier One of costliest wars in history—both sides lose about 10% of population 52 of 90 Puritan towns attacked, 13 completely destroyed along with 1,200 homes, 8,000 cattle Indians hit even worse—even converted “praying Indians” killed or sold into slavery. “An entire generation of young men had been nearly annhiliated,” King Phillip killed, his head was displayed in Plymouth for 25 years (The American People—p.75) Frontier would not advance past 1675 line for 45 years

Decline of Puritanism In latter 1600s, Puritanism declines Many Reasons Too exclusive—not enough access to the elect Would later try “halfway covenant” Excitement dies out over time The old existential questions: How do you do good in such a bad world etc. As more non-Puritans move in, things get watered down As settlements spread out, things get watered down

WHY SHOULD WE CARE??? We get a lot of things from the Puritans Puritan Ethic (work hard and good things will happen) is basically the American/Democratic/Capitalist ideal (virtue/industriousness is rewarded) Emphasis on education Some of the seeds of democracy? Sense of Destiny/being a chosen people Influence on American Literature