Settling of New England 2.4

Puritanism Religious principles & how to organize society Church of England still too Catholic –Elaborate ceremonies, priests can’t marry, decorations = “popery” –Seek to reform from w/in Reject hierarchical church structure Local congregations choose clergy & worship (Congregationalists)

The Sermon Read your Bible –Individual interpretation Listen to educated ministers Rather than sacraments & formulaic prayers

John Calvin The elect & the damned God chooses who to save No guarantee of salvation Worldly behavior may be a sign of grace or damnation

Separatists Abandon Church of England Charles I – church more Catholic –Puritans persecuted Decided to leave –Escape religious & worldly corruptions of England

Aims Bible Commonwealth that would rescue England from godlessness & social decay –“city set upon a hill” Liberty to worship & govern in Christian way

Natural Liberty A liberty to do evil – bad Leads to anarchy

Moral Liberty A liberty to do only which is good True freedom depends on obeying the law –Religious & government Right to est. churches & laws Others can’t challenge beliefs or authority

Pilgrims Separatists 1608 Netherlands 1620 want to go to VA –Supported by English investors (trade) Mayflower 150 many not Puritans Off course & land in MA (Plymouth)

Mayflower Compact Form of government Men will obey “just & equal laws” Representative government

Rocky Beginnings Indians gone Plymouth site abandoned village ½ died that winter

Indian Help Squanto –Interpreter –Fish & plant corn –Alliance w/ Massasoit 1621 Thanksgiving

Christian Society Government by consent Voting not restricted to church members Common land until 1627 then divided Independent until 1691

MA Bay Colony 1629 MA. Bay Co. – Purpose Great Migration – (21,000) –Less 1/3 England's emigrants –Ends around 1640

Uniqueness Families Religious persecution, anxiety, economics Older, wealthier, equal sex ratio, climate 1700 white pop. NE larger than Chesapeake & West Indies –Pop. doubles every 27 yrs

Puritan Family Patriarchy –English model –Essential in farm society –Man absolute / like God & king Women –Spiritually equal, church members –Marriage respected –Married by 22, 7 births Single adults dangerous

Towns Social unity good / excessive individualism bad Self-governing towns –Land divided –Congregational church & school 1636 Harvard College

Government Principle of consent –Church –General Court & local officials Freemen elected own leaders “Visible Saints” Democracy w/in circle of church membership

Class Hierarchy “Some must be rich & some poor, some high & with power & others ruled” - John Winthrop Prominent families got best land & seats at church Ordinary people couldn’t dress like gentlemen, different titles

1641 Body of Liberties Liberties were privileges based on status Inequality was God’s will Separate lists Slavery ok Free speech, assembly, equal protection

Church & State MA ministers couldn’t hold office Church & state connected –Every town church & tax for minister –No separate church court Death penalty –Worshiping false gods –Witchcraft –blasphemy