Puritans in New England & Early Globalization

Flashcards covering Puritan history in New England, including their beliefs, conflicts, and the Salem Witch Trials, as well as topics from Early Globalization such as European empires, explorers, and economic theories.

Who were the Puritans?

English Protestants who sought to 'Purify' the Anglican church because they believed it was too Catholic.

What was the Puritan belief in Predestination?

The belief that only God could control whether an individual went to heaven.

List some of the Puritans' main objections to the Catholic Church.

Objections included disliking orders from a distant papacy, wanting sermons in the vernacular instead of Latin mass, perceived corruption among priests (prostitution, forgiving sins for money), the hierarchical structure, priests acting as intermediaries, and excessive rituals, sacraments, pilgrimages, and idols.

What were three key reasons for Puritan colonization in the New World?

To escape religious persecution, to save Native American souls, and to find economic prospects and more opportunity.

What did Governor John Winthrop mean by wanting Salem to be a 'city upon a hill'?

He meant that their settlement should be a model city for others to follow, an example of a righteous society.

Describe the political characteristics of the Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, including who could vote and their tolerance of dissenting voices.

Only male Church members who owned land could vote. The Puritans were not tolerant of dissenting voices, leading figures like Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, and Thomas Hooker to be banished.

Where did the Puritans and Pilgrims settle in the New World?

The Puritans settled at Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth.

How would you characterize Puritan beliefs about morality, holidays, and marriage, and what sorts of crimes were brought before their courts?

Puritans were very strict. They banned holidays and saints' days, viewed marriage as a civil institution rather than a religious wedding, and prosecuted crimes such as atheism, drunkenness, missing church, improper dress, cursing, and playing music at night.

Why did the Massachusetts Bay Colony experience rapid population growth?

The colony grew rapidly because Puritans were typically middle-class, could afford their journey, often came in families, and included many skilled artisans, which was good for the colony's viability.

What Native American tribes did the Puritans encounter, and to what larger ethnic and linguistic group did they belong?

The Puritans encountered the Pequots, Wampanoags, and Powhatans, all of whom were part of the Algonquian linguistic group.

What were the causes and outcome of the Pequot War?

The Pequot War was sparked by the killing of John Stone and John Oldham, which Puritans attributed to the Pequots. The Puritans demanded justice under the English court system, leading to a war that significantly reduced the Pequot population.

Describe the impact of King Philip's War.

King Philip's War, considered the bloodiest American war, resulted in the destruction of half of New England settlements, a failed Algonquian alliance with the Iroquois, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the European 'divide and conquer' strategy against Native American tribes.

What four unsettling events contributed to Puritan anxiety leading up to the Salem Witch Trials?

Rapid commercial development, dropping church membership, ongoing wars with Native Americans, and the issuance of a new colonial charter by King William & Queen Mary in 1691.

What transpired during the Salem Witch Trials, and what are some historical interpretations of these events?

The Salem Witch Trials involved accusations of witchcraft, believed punishable by execution, starting with the daughters of Rev. Samuel Parris. Accusations spread based on flimsy evidence, leading to 14 women being hanged and one pressed to death. Historical interpretations suggest the trials reflected economic disparities between Salem Town and Salem Village, targeted women who violated gender norms or lacked male protection, and expressed anxieties over Indian wars.

Describe the Portuguese empire and its primary commodity.

The Portuguese empire was heavily based on sugar, produced on plantations in Brazil using enslaved labor from Africa.

Name some of the most famous Spanish and Portuguese explorers.

Famous Spanish explorers include Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes, and Francisco Pizarro. Famous Portuguese explorers include Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, and Pedro Álvares Cabral.

What were the primary motivations for European explorers and colonists to travel to the New World?

The primary motivations were the desire for wealth, land, and religious freedom.

How did Hernan Cortes and the Spanish conquer the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan?

The Spanish, led by Hernan Cortes, conquered the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan through superior weaponry, alliances with rival tribes, and the devastating impact of diseases like smallpox on the Aztec population.

What was the Protestant Reformation?

A 16th-century religious movement that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the emergence of new Protestant denominations.

What were Martin Luther’s main criticisms of the Catholic Church?

Martin Luther criticized the Catholic Church for practices such as the sale of indulgences, the emphasis on good works for salvation, and questioning the authority of the Pope.

What is Calvinism?

A Protestant theological system emphasizing the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of predestination.

How would you characterize the French empire in the New World?

The French empire in the New World was characterized by a focus on fur trading, exploration of the interior, and generally more cooperative relationships with indigenous populations compared to other European powers.

What was the Dutch empire primarily based on, and how would you characterize it?

The Dutch empire was primarily based on trade and finance, characterized by its strong focus on commerce, especially through the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Who was Bartolome de las Casas, and what did he advocate?

Bartolome de las Casas was a Spanish Dominican friar who advocated for the rights and better treatment of indigenous peoples in the Americas.

Describe the economic theory of mercantilism and its key ideas.

Mercantilism was an economic theory advocating government regulation of a nation's economy to increase state power at the expense of rivals. Key ideas included accumulating wealth through a positive balance of trade, establishing colonies for resources, and protecting domestic industries through tariffs and trade barriers.