1. Who Were the Puritans
And Why Should We Care?

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. In America: Settlement in and Around “New England”

6. Two Groups
“The Pilgrims”
The Puritans—Winthrop Division

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

8. 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."

9. 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?????

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

11. 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.

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

13. 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

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

15. 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!

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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.”)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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