The New England Way Religion and the Salem Witch Trials

Starter – September 2nd What were some of the problems the Pilgrims of the Plymouth colony faced? How did the colony ultimately survive?

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The Northern Colonies Called collectively “New England” Long harsh winters and short summers resulted in the shortest growing season of the three regions (Northern, Middle and Southern). Abundance of raw materials such as lumber and fish. Region: Mountainous and full of rivers, while the soil is rocky and thin.

Who were the Puritans? They wanted to reform their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence Their attempt to “purify” the Church of England and their own lives was based on the teachings of John Calvin John Winthrop led the Puritans to the New World (1630), preached “A Model of Christian Charity,” and held the elected position of governor for the Massachusetts Bay Colony for nineteen years.

Puritan Beliefs Puritans had a strong worth ethic. Education was emphasized. Everyone attends church services. Strictly religious and very superstitious. Amusements were frowned upon.

The Salem Witch Trials Salem Witchcraft Trials ; many accused of being “witches”, stemmed from many issues such as economic differences within the region and jealousy. People were accused and convicted based on evidence that only the accuser could see, such as apparitions or ghosts. The great mystery of the Salem Witch Trials is how an entire town believed this evidence, triggering mass hysteria. 20 people (mostly women) would be executed. The Witch trials marked the end of Puritan New England after which time many turned to material pursuits.

Puritan Dissenters Roger Williams Roger Williams believed you should tolerate other people’s beliefs in God. Because he criticized the political system in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, specifically the lack of separation between church and state, he was threatened with deportation. He left Massachusetts and started a colony, Providence. Anne Hutchinson Anne Hutchinson was a woman who believed you could go directly to God so you could pray to God without going through a priest. In 1637, Anne was convicted of heresy, banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony, and then moved to Rhode Island.

Puritan Dissenters John Wheelwright Spoke out against the church. Established New Hampshire. Thomas Hooker Disagreeing with Winthrop, Rev. Hooker and 100 of his followers established the Hartford Settlement in 1636 on the Connecticut River Valley.