Puritans and New England

Objective #1 Compare the development of the New England and Chesapeake colonies as illustrated by the social, political and economic institutions that shaped them.

Objective #2 Describe the Puritans and their beliefs and explain why they left England for the New World.

Objective #3 Explain how Massachusetts Bay’s conflict with religious dissenters as well as economic opportunities led to the expansion of New England.

Objective #4 Describe the conflict between the colonists and Indians in New England.

Puritans (Congregationalists) John Calvin –Predestination Wanted to purify the Church of England of Catholicism Against separation of church and state Feared England becoming too secular

Puritan Ideas Puritan Work Ethic Convert the unbelieving Had special covenant with God Predestination –“Elect” (Visible Saints) –Visual conversion All people should be literate

Persecution of Puritans Puritans challenged King James I ( ) –James would not allow Puritans to defy him as spiritual leader--would inspire others to defy him as political leaer –James responded by harassing them, closing churches, etc. Economic depression of late 16th century was devastating to Puritans (wool industry)

Separatists Predecessors to Puritans (in colonization) –Wanted to separate, not purify the church Could not stand going to church with corrupted Anglican church members –Fled persecution in England 1608: Holland Feared “Dutchification” of children 1620: Plymouth –Did not have charter (not recognized by England and did not have the rights of an Englishman) –William Bradford (and Myles Standish) –Mayflower Compact: first written government document in colonies

Puritans Leave England 1629: Group of Puritans obtained charter –Formed Massachusetts Bay Co. –Intended to be religious colony –Left in 1630 with over 1,000 people

“A City Upon a Hill” Massachusetts Bay Stressed community over individual –Protestant Work Ethic –Strong discipline Transgressors severely punished “Great Migration”: 70,000 Puritans came in 1630s –Expanded into Connecticut and Rhode Island

Economics of Massachusetts Bay Agriculture, fishing, timber, furs Villages –Close together –Communal –Small farms –Singles could not live alone –Stressed education –Town meeting form of government

Education Towns of more than 50 families were required to provide education Harvard College (1636) First tax supported public schools (1642) First printing press in “New World” –Half of adults were literate

The New England Primer (1683)

Government Free male church members could vote –40% of population had right to vote –All had freedom of speech (town hall mtgs) Everyone paid taxes Governor and his aides was elected annually –Had almost unlimited powers –John Winthrop was first governor Representative assembly also elected annually

New England Families Puritans migrated as families –Stability –Promoted growth Women had few rights

Agriculture Broad ownership of land –Most farmers were 50 acres or less Needed to move westward No crop rotation –Gap between rich and poor not large Owning land meant –Economic power –Political power Poor land quality meant more cities, centers of trade

Pilgrims vs. Puritans FewMany Early (1620)Later ( ) Poor classUpper middle class UneducatedEducated Separatists from state churchLoyal Settled in PlymouthSalem, Boston Wm. Bradford, Wm. BrewsterJohn Endicott, Miles Standish, John Winthrop

Roger Williams Separatist Separation of church and state Puritans intruding on Indian land Fled in 1636 and obtained charter for Rhode Island in 1644 Built first Baptist church in colonies

Anne Hutchinson Antinomianism –Faith alone necessary for salvation –Said she talked directly with God –Goes against obeying law –Goes against work being sign of being the “Elect” Kicked out of Massachusetts in 1638

Indian Relations Europeans brought disease –Natives die and Puritans take land –Showed God was on their side 1637: War with Pequots

King Philip’s War King Philip (Metacom) formed alliance of Indian tribes Coordinated attacks in New England –1676: 52 towns attacked –King Philip captured ending war

New England Federation (1643) Four New England colonies unite to protect themselves –Plymouth –Massachusetts Bay –Connecticut –New Haven First attempt at colonial union

Changing Values As more people come to colonies: –More people pursue riches--move away from Protestant Work Ethic –More diversity Puritans dispersed Half-way Covenant Dampened religious zeal Weakened Puritan hold on government