1. Unit 1 ORIGINS AND ENCOUNTERS

2. The Original Land— before 1600
I. Prior to the European arrival, Native American cultures were already flourishing in America.
A. Over 200 distinct groups. Mostly peaceful. Settled differences through negotiation, not war.
B. The tribes consisted of different cultures, languages, customs, rituals, clothing, art, food, shelters, and government.
C. A shared belief was their deep investment in the earth. They are highly respectful to the elements of nature.
1. Native Americans view elements of nature
as part of their ancestry.
2. Pass on traditions and culture verbally-
storytelling, songs, and myths.

3. Massasoit statue at Plymouth Native American Longhouse

4. The European colonization after 1620
II. The arrival of the Puritans
Cape Cod.
A. Protestant sects that tried to
“purify” the established Church
of England.
B. Non-conformists to King James I.
C. Planned to set sail for the New
World and build a new society, and live a simple life—lead by
William Bradford.

5. The Mayflower in cape cod

7. III. Importance of Puritan influences to America today.
A. Identity of America comes directly from their writing.
B. Their journals and writings influence our morals, ethics and religious convictions in modern times.
C. First hand accounts of hardships in the New World.

8. Puritan belief system
was religiously very strict. They were intolerant of viewpoints different than their own. They felt that though humans were inherently evil with the fall of Adam, some would be saved by God’s grace. Since they didn’t know if they were one of the chosen, they stuck strictly to their 3 main principles.

9. A. Humans are inherently evil and
must struggle to overcome their
sinful nature.
“In Adam’s fall, we sinned all.”
B. Bible is the sole authority of
God’s law.
C. Fate was determined by God.
A person could do nothing to
become one of the saved.

10. V. Traditions, values, and society
A. Well-educated and hard- working— laziness was “devil’s work.”
B. Valued family-life, community service, art and literature.
C. Established a printing press, free public schools, and Harvard College in 1636.

11. D. Adhered to the necessities of life—nothing fancy or special.
E. Stereotypically seen as gloomy, intolerant and boring people.
1. Hard work in New World without comfort and leisure available to Europeans.
2. They had to be intolerant to survive under adverse, hostile situations.
3. Wore dark clothes because that is all they had.
4. As their income increased, so did their humor and styles.

13. VI. Puritan Writings
A. Wrote in “Plain Style.”—no figures of speech or fancy language. Strong, simple, and logical.
B. Keep close watch on inner and outer events of life and recorded them in journals and diaries.
1. Looked for messages or signs from God— indication that they were one of God’s chosen people.
C. Wrote on Biblical or devotional topics.

14. The end