Puritans

What were the main problems the Puritans/Congregationalists had with England?

They were unhappy with economic changes, criticized worldliness, disliked working on the Sabbath and other forms of 'fun', claimed too much corruption/Catholicism in the Church of England, questioned the crown, and were persecuted by King James and Charles I.

What was the "City on a Hill" appeal for the Puritans?

It was an appeal for freedom from persecution, to remove themselves from the corrupt Church of England, and to create an ideal society ('utopia') based on pure faith and God's laws, serving as an example for others.

Who was King Charles I and what was his role concerning the Puritans?

He granted the Puritans the charter to Virginia, essentially as a way to get rid of them from England.

Who was John Winthrop?

He introduced the "City on a Hill" ideal, associated with the utopia, and was the first governor/leader of the Bay Colony.

Who was Thomas Dudley?

He replaced John Winthrop as governor and advocated for tighter religious and political control over the colony.

Who was Roger Williams?

A minister who spoke out against the church, advocating for the separation of church and state. He was driven out of Puritan society and eventually became the leader of Rhode Island.

Who was Anne Hutchinson?

She believed the Holy Spirit was absent within the church, preached Antinomianism (grace through faith, not good works), claimed ministers weren't necessary, and was excommunicated from Boston for preaching to men.

Describe the Puritan government structure.

It was a self-government with annually elected leaders and a bicameral legislature. Only land-owning men of the church could vote. Ministers distributed land based on family size and community contributions.

What was the core Puritan religious doctrine?

A type of Protestantism based on Calvin's doctrine of predestination, where Puritans believed they were among the chosen saved. They upheld strong moral discipline and work ethic, believing good deeds were a way to show God's grace and earn a path to heaven, despite being born with original sin.

How did Puritan communities enforce religious and moral standards?

They had a strong covenant with God to uphold His laws, and their tight-knit communities helped monitor actions to prevent sinning. They rejected 'Catholic' rituals, and meeting-houses served for both worship and town gatherings.

Describe Puritan relations with Native Americans.

They created 'praying towns' for natives but did not allow them into Puritan towns, fostering homogenous communities. They aimed to convert natives and forbade settlers from selling alcohol/weapons to them. There were sporadic conflicts, including the Pequot War (1637). Roger Williams advocated paying natives for land, while others believed God granted them the land. Before the Great Migration, English fishermen knowingly spread smallpox to natives, creating vacant lands for Puritan settlement.

What characterized the Puritan economy and daily life?

Their economy was built on "good works," primarily subsistence agriculture, with some fur trading, cod fishing, and timbering. They established the first printing press. Communities were small and tight-knit, centered around the meeting house. They had fewer diseases and longer life expectancies than England/the South. They were the first to establish tax-funded public school systems, with education focused on religious texts.