August 18th bay colony Massachusettes Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on Puritans, Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Rhode Island.

Puritans (Massachusetts Bay Colony)

A Protestant reform group that settled Massachusetts Bay Colony to build a godly, church-centered society; political power was effectively limited to male church members, with predestination and the elect central to their belief.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Puritan settlement founded in the 1630s characterized by prepackaged family migrations, strong social structure, and governance where voting was restricted to church members.

Magistrate

The main political office in Puritan Massachusetts, a blend of mayor and representative; elections were limited to church members.

Church membership

Being a member of the Puritan church; required for voting and holding political office in Massachusetts.

Harvard College

Founded in 1636 to train ministers for Puritan towns; later became Harvard University.

Anne Hutchinson

Female Bible teacher whose meetings challenged the Puritan emphasis on good works; banished in 1637 and moved to Rhode Island.

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God has predetermined who will be saved.

The Elect

Those believed to be saved in Puritan theology; proof of being elect was shown through good works.

Good Works

Actions used as evidence of being among the elect; Puritans argued for their importance, while Hutchinson questioned the emphasis on them.

Rhode Island

Colony known for religious toleration; refuge for dissenters like Hutchinson after banishment from Massachusetts.

The Fishermen

Non-Puritan settlers in Massachusetts who were tolerated if they remained quiet and uncontroversial.

Charter

The English legal document granting rights to the colony, enabling its self-government.

Church and State (in practice)

The theoretical separation of church and government, but in practice political power in Massachusetts was dominated by church membership and Puritan leadership.

Great Migration to Massachusetts

Mass movement of English families (and villages) to Massachusetts, bringing stable social networks and rapid settlement.