Early Puritanism and The Salem Witch Trials of 1692

Who Were the Early Puritans? “Puritan” is a word used to describe a number of Protestant groups of the 16 th and 17 th centuries. “Puritan” is a word used to describe a number of Protestant groups of the 16 th and 17 th centuries. They first arrived in America in They first arrived in America in Puritans fled to the New World from England to avoid religious persecution. Puritans fled to the New World from England to avoid religious persecution. Puritans believed in simple forms of worship and a humble way of life. Puritans believed in simple forms of worship and a humble way of life.

Early History Only about 27 of the 100 people aboard the Mayflower were Puritans. Only about 27 of the 100 people aboard the Mayflower were Puritans. Puritans thought of themselves as soldiers in a war against Satan – the arch enemy who planned to ruin the kingdom of God on Earth. Puritans thought of themselves as soldiers in a war against Satan – the arch enemy who planned to ruin the kingdom of God on Earth. They saw no hope of reforming a national church so they formed their own church. They saw no hope of reforming a national church so they formed their own church.

The Puritan Legacy Puritans contributed to the American character through their moral, ethical, and religious convictions. Puritans contributed to the American character through their moral, ethical, and religious convictions. Harvard College was established by the Puritan culture, one example of their great value of education. Harvard College was established by the Puritan culture, one example of their great value of education. They created the Mayflower Compact, upon which our Constitution is based. They created the Mayflower Compact, upon which our Constitution is based.

Puritan Beliefs God is everything, man is nothing God is everything, man is nothing Religion and the teachings of the church are the center of all aspects of life Religion and the teachings of the church are the center of all aspects of life Puritans believed The Bible to be the supreme authority on earth Puritans believed The Bible to be the supreme authority on earth Nature and all that is in it is evil Nature and all that is in it is evil Each individual is fated from birth to be among the saved (“the elect”) or the damned Each individual is fated from birth to be among the saved (“the elect”) or the damned

Puritan Beliefs Judgmental God (rewards good/punishes evil) Judgmental God (rewards good/punishes evil) Predestination/Election (salvation or damnation was predetermined by God) Predestination/Election (salvation or damnation was predetermined by God) Original Sin (humans are innately sinful, tainted by the sins of Adam & Eve; good can be accomplished only through hard work & self-discipline) Original Sin (humans are innately sinful, tainted by the sins of Adam & Eve; good can be accomplished only through hard work & self-discipline)

Predestination The Puritans believed that most of humanity was damned and that only a select number of people would gain eternal salvation (the “elect”). The Puritans believed that most of humanity was damned and that only a select number of people would gain eternal salvation (the “elect”). Determining whether an individual was part of the “elect” was a difficult and uncertain endeavor. No one could be sure whether s/he was in God’s good graces, even with saintly behavior. Determining whether an individual was part of the “elect” was a difficult and uncertain endeavor. No one could be sure whether s/he was in God’s good graces, even with saintly behavior.

Am I One of the “Elect”? Puritans examined themselves & their lives constantly looking for evidence of their election Puritans examined themselves & their lives constantly looking for evidence of their election Guilt & remorse were signs of God’s grace Guilt & remorse were signs of God’s grace Thrift, industry, hard work were viewed as signs of God’s grace Thrift, industry, hard work were viewed as signs of God’s grace Business success was a sign of God’s grace Business success was a sign of God’s grace

Puritan Government Totally controlled by the church Totally controlled by the church –Elections only by church members –Ministers main officers of civil government –Non-attendance resulted in loss of property and rights Anyone who did not know the catechism was suspected of evil Anyone who did not know the catechism was suspected of evil

Puritan Politics The Puritans of the New World lived under a theocracy, or a system of government in which the church and state are closely linked and religious law is man’s law. The Puritans of the New World lived under a theocracy, or a system of government in which the church and state are closely linked and religious law is man’s law. In such communities, the religious leader was also a civic leader, and the spiritual as well as social well-being of the community was the responsibility of the leader. In such communities, the religious leader was also a civic leader, and the spiritual as well as social well-being of the community was the responsibility of the leader.

Government by Contract Puritans believed that people should enter into governmental contracts freely, as exhibited in the Mayflower Compact. Puritans believed that people should enter into governmental contracts freely, as exhibited in the Mayflower Compact. Members of “the elect” were expected to exert great influence on the government, which resulted in undemocratic political views. Members of “the elect” were expected to exert great influence on the government, which resulted in undemocratic political views.

Sins Adultery Adultery Anything pleasant considered “of the devil” Anything pleasant considered “of the devil” –Clothing –Playing –Dancing

Satan Active enemy of mankind Active enemy of mankind Could bewitch certain people Could bewitch certain people Fallen from grace Fallen from grace

Witches and Witchcraft 17th and 18th century 17th and 18th century Mankind considered inherently evil Mankind considered inherently evil Helpers to destroy the plans of God and the New World Helpers to destroy the plans of God and the New World –Puritans and the New Canaan –New World stronghold of the devil –Salem, Massachusetts

Witchcraft at Work Satan could assume various shapes or become invisible Satan could assume various shapes or become invisible Satan could enter a person’s body without that person knowing it. Satan could enter a person’s body without that person knowing it. Satan or an agent could assume the shape of an innocent person and torment someone else Satan or an agent could assume the shape of an innocent person and torment someone else Contracts with the devil Contracts with the devil Confession Confession

Puritan Women Puritan women held little power or influence in their communities, particularly unmarried women. Puritan women held little power or influence in their communities, particularly unmarried women. Women were not allowed to own property. Women were not allowed to own property. While its actual practice was unusual, husbands were allowed to punish or publicly humiliate their wives for infractions such as insubordination. While its actual practice was unusual, husbands were allowed to punish or publicly humiliate their wives for infractions such as insubordination.