History Module 2.2 The New England Experiment

Explain the Puritans’ objections to the Anglican Church:

Puritan’s believed it was too much like the Catholic church. Puritans wanted to purify the Church of England. Didn’t like elaborate vests and robes priests wore, didn’t like candles or incense or elaborate decorations in church either. They believed there should be emphasis on the bible.

How did the Puritans hope to reform society?

1. Through work ethic- to keep people from being idle (idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

2. Congregational support.

3. Assumed responsibility for the unconverted in their community, thought if they could convert that they could control.

What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

Because the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts not Virginia 11/11/1620. The Mayflower Compact was the foundation of the Plymouth colony’s government. It was decided that society should be based on written rules agreed to by it’s members.

Why did the English colonists in New England have a higher survival rate than English colonists who settled Jamestown?

They had clean drinking water, healthier climate and skilled workers.

Reformation:

Martin Luther began questioning the Catholic church, he believed that the Catholic church was corrupt.

Anglican Church:

Church of England.

Massachusetts Bay Colony:

In 1630, a much larger contingent of Puritans left England to escape conformity to the Church of England and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the following years, thousands more arrived to create a new life in the rocky soils and cold climates of New England. Absorbed Plymouth Colony.

Who were the Puritan Separatists?

Small group of religious people whose religious meetings had been so interfered with in England that they fled to Holland in 1608. Known as Pilgrims when they headed to America. Humble English farmers who separated from Church of England because they believed that in their words, “The church was corrupt beyond salvage.” They left Holland because they feared their children were taking on Dutch qualities and way of life.

What were Puritan villages like?

There was a meeting house, Parsonage- House for Pastor to live in, settler’s houses and they would get their own planting lots and part of meadow near river.

What was Puritan culture like? (church, education)

Boys only got to go to school, they made sure their children and servants could read. Very literate.

American Exceptionalism:

Americans hold that they have a special mission in the world.

Martin Luther:

Initiated the Protestant Reformation. famously published his 95 Theses, unleashing criticisms that resulted in a rejection of the pope's authority and fractured Christianity as he knew it. Rebelled against the Catholic church.

King Henry VIII:

Pope wouldn’t let him divorce wife. Broke away from Catholic church, established the Church of England. Supreme Head of Church of England.

Queen Elizabeth I:

Henry the VIII’s daughter, much more interested in politics than religion.

King James I:

Married to a Catholic, there were rumors he was a Catholic even though he probably wasn’t. Authorized a new translation of the bible. Succeeded Elizabeth the 1st.

Pilgrims:

Puritan separists. Small group of religious people whose religious meetings had been so interfered with in England that they fled to Holland in 1608. Known as Pilgrims when they headed to America. Humble English farmers who separated from Church of England because they believed that in their words, “The church was corrupt beyond salvage.” They left Holland because they feared their children were taking on Dutch qualities and way of life.

William Bradford:

Led the Pilgrims to North America. Governor of Plymouth. Him and forty other men signed the Mayflower Compact which expressed a community ideal to work together.

John Winthrop:

“A City on a Hill”. First governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony who came from a privileged class of English.

Thanksgiving:

Autumn 1621. William Bradford invited the Indians and they had a three day celebration.

Great Migration:

About 30,000 people between 1630 and 1642. The significant wave of English Puritans who emigrated to New England, primarily to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, seeking religious freedom and autonomy.