Growth of Puritan Opposition Flashcards
What was Puritanism, and why did it oppose James I’s religious policies?
Puritanism was a movement within Protestantism that sought to “purify” the Church of England of any remaining Catholic practices. Puritans opposed James I’s support for the Anglican Church’s hierarchical structure and its ceremonial traditions.
What was the significance of the Hampton Court Conference (1604) for Puritan opposition?
The Hampton Court Conference allowed Puritans to present their grievances, but James I rejected most of their demands, except for a new translation of the Bible (King James Bible, 1611), frustrating Puritan hopes for reform and increasing opposition.
How did James I’s support for the episcopal structure contribute to Puritan opposition?
James I’s defense of bishops (“No Bishop, No King”) antagonized Puritans, who wanted a more Presbyterian system of church governance. His insistence on maintaining the episcopal structure deepened Puritan opposition to his religious policies.
What role did non-conformity play in the growth of Puritan opposition?
Many Puritans refused to conform to the practices of the Church of England, such as the use of the Book of Common Prayer and ceremonies they deemed too similar to Catholicism. Their non-conformity and James I’s enforcement of conformity laws increased tensions.
How did the emergence of Arminianism in the Anglican Church contribute to Puritan opposition?
Arminianism, with its emphasis on free will and ritual, gained influence in the Anglican Church, particularly towards the end of James I’s reign. Puritans saw this as a move back towards Catholicism, increasing their opposition to the king’s religious policies.
What was the Millenary Petition (1603), and how did it reflect early Puritan opposition?
The Millenary Petition was a document signed by around 1,000 Puritan ministers, calling for reforms to the Church of England, such as abolishing certain ceremonies and removing the episcopal structure. James I’s failure to address these demands contributed to growing Puritan dissatisfaction.
What role did Parliament play in the growth of Puritan opposition?
Many members of Parliament sympathized with Puritan grievances. Parliament became a platform for Puritans to voice opposition to James I’s religious policies, especially during debates over royal prerogative and religious reform.
How did the failure of the Hampton Court Conference affect Puritan opposition?
The failure of the Hampton Court Conference to address Puritan concerns pushed some Puritans to become more radical, moving towards non-conformity or even separatism, where they sought to break away from the Church of England altogether.
How did James I’s enforcement of the Act of Uniformity and Recusancy Laws fuel Puritan opposition?
James I enforced laws requiring attendance at Anglican services and the use of the Book of Common Prayer. Puritans, who resisted these regulations, faced fines and penalties, further alienating them and increasing opposition to the Crown’s religious policy.
What was the impact of James I’s increasing authoritarianism on Puritan opposition?
As James I increasingly used his royal prerogative to enforce religious conformity, Puritans saw his policies as authoritarian. This perception contributed to their opposition, as they sought greater religious freedom and resisted his efforts to suppress their practices.
How did the Puritans react to Catholicism during James I’s reign?
Puritans were deeply anti-Catholic, and their opposition to James I grew as they perceived his policies to be too lenient towards Catholics, especially after the Spanish Match negotiations and James’s handling of Catholic recusancy laws.
What impact did James I’s foreign policy have on Puritan opposition?
James I’s pursuit of peace with Catholic Spain, especially the proposed Spanish Match, alarmed Puritans, who feared Catholic influence in England. This further galvanized Puritan opposition, both in religious and political terms.
What was the role of Separatism in the growth of Puritan opposition?
Separatist Puritans, frustrated by James I’s refusal to reform the Church of England, chose to break away and form their own independent congregations. Their actions symbolized the radicalization of some Puritans and the deepening religious divide during his reign.
How did Puritan preaching contribute to opposition against James I?
Puritan ministers used their sermons to criticize the perceived Catholic tendencies in the Church of England and promote reform. This spread Puritan ideas and increased resistance to James I’s religious policies, especially in local communities.
How did the rise of Arminianism under James I’s successors affect the Puritans?
Although Arminianism gained prominence towards the end of James I’s reign, it flourished under Charles I, further alienating Puritans. James’s support for Arminian tendencies laid the foundation for future religious conflicts under his son, accelerating Puritan opposition.
