The Puritans and The Pilgrims Can You Tell Them Apart? How?

Who Were the Puritans? A group who wanted to reform the Anglican church. The Anglican Church was the Protestant Church of England Wanted to remove all ceremony from Anglican Church and go back to strict interpretation of God’s laws in Bible. The Protestant Reformation did not cleanse religion enough. Laws and government should be made to enforce the teachings of the Bible and punish those who disobey God’s laws.

Who Were the Puritans? Group of Intellectuals and educated who wished to cleanse the Church Harsh view of God, Hell, Devil Left England to form Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1620 They wanted to create a “New Jerusalem.” M.B.C. was to be the “City on the Hill’ a perfect place for the world to see and copy

Problems with the Puritans They did not believe in religious tolerance. Could not tolerate those who disagreed. They believed they were God’s chosen people Intellectual and spiritual snobs People who thought differently were unworthy of salvation Government should promote strict adherence of Bible No separation of church and state

Other Puritan Beliefs Life was test from God God was an angry God Devil walked among them trying to ‘trip them up’ God waited to find sinners Sinners went to hell Superstitious Watched each other Expected to turn sinners over to law for punishment

How the Puritans Dealt with Problems Had nor regard for Native Americans or those who were different Felt God gave them the right to the land and all that was in it. Roger Williams believed they stole the land from Indians – They banished him. He formed the colony of Rhode Island. Puritans believed that you lived by the Bible alone and followed it to the letter. Anne Hutchinson believed that you could know God without the help of ministers or the Bible – They banished her. Mary Dyer a Quaker who preached that true enlightenment came from within was hanged on Boston Common on the site of the State House. They would not tolerate people who disagreed with them. No singing, dancing, artwork, color, anything but sombeer hard work and prayer were not tolerated.

What is the difference between Puritans and Pilgrims? "Puritans" wanted to remain as part of England, working for biblical reform from within. As they moved to New England, they affirmed their "Englishness" and saw the main purpose of their new colony as being that of a biblical witness, a "city on a hill" which would set an example of biblical righteousness in church and state for Old England and the entire world to see. They strongly emphasized the corporate righteousness of their entire community before God.

What is the difference between Puritans and Pilgrims? "Pilgrims" wanted to achieve church reform even if it meant separating from their church and their nation. More radical than Puritans. While they continued to think of themselves as English, their emphasis was on their new political identity and spiritual identity. Because of their passionate commitment to the necessity of reformation immediate and without compromise, they emphasized especially strongly individual righteousness before God.

Pilgrims Were ‘Separatists” in that they wanted to separate from the Church rather than purify it They were working class people who decided to leave England and go to Holland Holland was more liberal and tolerant Pilgrims got to practice their religion in Holland

Pilgrims Over time Pilgrim children got more liberal also. Views softened. Pilgrims decided to go to New World to regain their identity Landed first in Provincetown then in Plymouth. Made Mayflower Compact

Pilgrims Kinder to Indians Personal goodness stressed Tolerant of Others Made Covenant with Massasoit Kept covenant with Indians for 50 years Separated Church dealings from State Government What belonged to God stayed with God What belonged to Government stayed there

Salem Witch Trials Unlike the Pilgrims, the Puritans did not make peace with the Native Americans. They were very superstitious. The believed the Devil walked among them.

King Philip Wars and Salem Witch Trials In the 1600’s two important events took place between in the Puritan Community: King Philip War between the Puritans and Native Americans Salem Witchcraft Trials More to come!