The Puritans

The Puritans: Crucible Background YouTube.com. New England Colonists: Pilgrims vs Puritans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ei0YRv57eI (6m only) It all began with the Pilgrims (Plymouth), Puritans (Mass.) soon followed. 1620 Pilgrims = separated from Church of England 1629 Puritans arrive in Salem = purify the church from sinners. Both came from Europe to escape religious persecution. Both from England and both sought religious freedoms. Puritans were known for their intolerance of dissenting ideas and lifestyles. As a result, they were repressive and authoritarian. Dissenting – ideas separate from the ones established (by church) Puritanism video (History.com) http://www.history.com/topics/puritanism

The Puritans: Crucible Background Puritans were unhappy with Church of England’s religious, moral & societal reforms. The Puritans believed that the Bible was God’s true law and were against the political struggles and man-made doctrines being created by the Church of England. They decided the Church of England was beyond reform and to escape religious persecution, they came to America. Puritans were a group of religious reformers who arrived in Mass. in the 1630s under Gov. John Winthrop and most settled in the New England area. They were not a small group of people. As they formed colonies their numbers rose from 17, 800 in 1640 to 106,000 in 1700.

The Puritans: Crucible Background Puritans were English Protestants and some Calvinists (16th & 17th century) Protestants – a form of Christian faith. Calvinists – a branch of Protestantism. John Calvin’s writings (leader of Reformation) gave rise to this religion. Puritans knew misbehavior, evil, & death were unavoidable. First things built: a prison & a cemetery. The first school was not established until 1635. Four years later, Harvard College at Cambridge was established (1st Amer. College).

The Puritans: Crucible Background Puritan beliefs: 1. They believed all people were born sinners because of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 2. They believed sin should be sought after, exposed and punished publicly in order to avoid others from sinning. 3. They believed the sinner should provide an example for others. 4. They believed that God had already chosen who would be saved or damned

The Puritans: Crucible Background As they faced the challenges of pioneer life in a foreign land, they held so strictly to their religious beliefs, customs & laws that it strengthened their communities no matter how far apart the colonies were. Those who opposed their theological views were asked to leave or convert. Their interpretations of scripture was a harsh one. Word of hellfire flowed from the mouths of ministers on Sundays (Crucible character of Rev. Parris & the real Puritan minister, Jonathan Edwards). They describe an angry & vengeful God. They emphasized “conversion” – rejection of worldliness (not giving in to pleasures).

The Puritans: Crucible Background In modern times the word “puritan” means devoid of pleasure. Ironic because anything pleasurable & fun was seen as “sinful.” God would forgive anything, but man would forgive only by seeing a change in behavior. Actions speak louder than words. Actions always had to be controlled. Doctrine of predestination – God had already chosen who would be in heaven or who were damned. People were good hoping they were the chosen ones. Wealthy people were supposedly in good standing with God. For the rest, hard work was an honor to God, which lead to a reward. The Puritan church elders were also political leaders so any church infraction also became a social issue. There was no margin for error.

The Puritans: Crucible Background The Devil was behind every evil deed no matter how small. The education of their children was important to further “purify” the church. Drama, music, poetry became forbidden because these lead to immorality. The Puritans were the first to write books for children and discuss the difficulties of communicating with them. The Puritans efforts in the areas of study helped advanced our country intellectually. Eventually, Americans admitted into the scientific “Royal Society of London” were vastly New England Puritans. Puritans, although very close-minded in certain things, established a community that maintained a healthy economy, established a school system, and focused their attention on political concerns.

The Puritans: Crucible Background The moral character of England and America were shaped in part by the words and the actions of the strong Christian group called the Puritans. YouTube.com. Top Documentary Films: Salem Witch Hunt – The Terrifying Truth about the Trial (by the History Channel) 1 hourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OcmDloPaQo

Sources https://www3.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html