1. Getting to know…

2. When did they come to America? Landed in 1620 Cape Cod, in what becomes Massachusetts

3. Where did the name “Puritan” come from? Church members sought to “purify” the Church of England. (Anglicans) Thought gov’t had too much power in people’s religious lives Personal relationship with God

4. Then why did the Puritans flee England?

5. Religious persecution! Many Puritans were tortured and executed in England Flee to Holland, then America Looking for a place to practice religion freely

6. What kind of government did they make when they arrived? On the trip, they signed the Mayflower Compact Prepared way for Constitutional Democracy

7. But really… Puritans believed that God’s “elect” should have the most say, so effectively things ran as a theocracy. Not very democratic in practice

8. What did the Puritans believe? ???

9. Puritan beliefs All human beings are sinners, even when they’re acting good God picked who was saved and who was damned… But NOBODY KNEW WHO WAS WHO! Only way to try and find out was to closely observe others Great emphasis on universal education Patience, simplicity, and strong work ethic

10. Bottom Line The Puritans were single-minded visionaries, but they felt that their beliefs alone were correct. “They believed, in short, that they held in their steady hands the candle that would light the world.” -Arthur Miller