Puritan History and Literature - Key Concepts

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering Puritan origins, life, beliefs, education, culture, and literature.

The Puritans believed the __ should guide how people live.

Bible

The Pilgrims were __ who broke from the Church of England.

Separatists

Puritan life in Massachusetts was hard because farming was difficult due to the __ terrain.

rocky

Modesty was enforced via a strict dress code: women could not wear __.

lace

Youth could not 'court' without permission from the girl’s __.

parents

Breaking religious or social rules could lead to public shaming, fines, whipping, or __.

banishment

The first public schools in America included the Boston Latin School, founded in __.

1635

Harvard College was founded in __ to train ministers.

1636

Puritans believed that humans are born __.

evil

They believed in __, meaning only a chosen few would be saved.

predestination

Puritans believed in a(n) __ God who rewarded obedience and punished sin.

all-knowing

A child’s death or a drought was seen as evidence of God’s __.

disapproval

The Devil could easily influence someone who was spiritually weak, so people were cautious about helping those in trouble, fearing they might be under the Devil’s __.

control

Puritans valued __ over individuality.

community

Many Puritan writings are in the form of __ or personal narratives.

diaries

Sunday was a sacred day of rest and worship—no work, play, or distractions allowed; __ were not permitted.

distractions

Puritan literature often dealt with the themes of God's will and the __ plan.

master plan

Education Was Sacred because they wanted everyone to be able to read the __.

Bible

Religious language can be found on American currency and in the __.

Pledge of Allegiance

They established free public __, now seen as a right.

education

One famous Puritan-era sermon is __.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Bradford's history is titled __.

Of Plymouth Plantation

Poetry by __ is included in Puritan literature.

Anne Bradstreet

Arthur Miller's play __ explores the Salem witch trials.

The Crucible

Puritan meeting houses were plain, with no __, statues, or elaborate decorations.

stained glass

Puritans believed church attendance was __.

mandatory

Natural events were seen as spiritual warnings, not __.

coincidences