Puritans and Pilgrims in "New England" Flashcards
New England vs. Southern Chesapeake (Virginia and Maryland)
Slides:
-New England’s settlers, particularly the dominant Puritans, had a vision of a Godly society.
Requires conformity
-Virginians came to get rich in material goods
Research:
The motivations and experiences of settlers in New England and the Southern Chesapeake region were shaped by their differing goals, environments, and societal structures, leading to distinct consequences for each area.
In the Southern Chesapeake, particularly Virginia, settlers primarily sought economic gain. They were motivated by the promise of wealth from cash crops like tobacco, which drove the establishment of large plantations. This focus on agriculture led to a society that relied heavily on labor, including indentured servants and, later, enslaved Africans. The pursuit of material wealth fostered a hierarchical social structure, with a wealthy planter class at the top and a more transient, less stable population of laborers and indentured servants.
In contrast, New England settlers, influenced by religious motivations, sought a community where they could practice their beliefs freely. Many were Puritans who valued spiritual richness and community cohesion over material wealth. Their focus on religion led to the establishment of towns centered around congregations, promoting education and civic responsibility. The rocky soil and harsh climate of New England made large-scale agriculture less viable, encouraging a more diverse economy that included trade, fishing, and small-scale farming.
The consequences of these differing motivations were significant. The Chesapeake became a region marked by economic stratification and reliance on slavery, while New England developed a more egalitarian society with strong community ties and an emphasis on education and civic life. These foundational differences would have lasting impacts on the cultural, social, and economic landscapes of both regions as they evolved.
The Pilgrims/Separatist Calvinists (1619-20) vs. The Puritans/Congregationalist Calvinists (1630)
sides:
Similarities
Both are protestants of the reformation
Thought the Anglican church was not good enough
Not good enough to perform Catholicism
Both wanted to purify church
Earned believers to seek god by reading the bible themselves
Encourage people to set up their own prayer groups
They were both Calvinists - belief of a predestination, everyone is destined from birth to going to heaven or hell
Differences:
Pilgrims were more radical
Puritans are more mainstream
More puritans than pilgrims (coming to New England)
Puritans didn’t want individual freedom but government control of religion (kind of orthodox)
Research:
The Pilgrims and Puritans were both groups of English Calvinists, but they had different beliefs and goals when they came to America. The Pilgrims, also known as Separatists, wanted to break away completely from the Church of England because they felt it was too corrupt. In 1620, they sailed to America and settled in Plymouth, where they aimed to create a community where they could practice their faith freely. They valued individual choice and had a more democratic approach to governance. On the other hand, the Puritans arrived in the 1630s with a different mindset. They wanted to reform the Church of England from within rather than separate from it. When they established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, they sought to create a “city upon a hill,” a model Christian society that others could look up to. This led to a stricter community where conformity to their religious beliefs was emphasized, and dissent was often punished. So, while both groups were deeply religious, the Pilgrims focused on individual freedom and democratic values, while the Puritans aimed for a more uniform and disciplined society.
Pilgrim/Separatists & Plymouth Colony
The Pilgrims, also known as Separatists, were a group of English Calvinists who sought to break away from the Church of England because they believed it was too corrupt and not truly reformed. In search of religious freedom, they first fled to the Netherlands, where they found more tolerance but were concerned about losing their English identity. In 1620, they decided to set sail for America aboard the Mayflower, landing at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts.
Upon arrival, they faced harsh conditions and struggled to survive the first winter. Despite these challenges, they established Plymouth Colony, which became one of the first successful English settlements in North America. The Pilgrims were dedicated to creating a community based on their religious beliefs, and they emphasized cooperation and mutual support among the settlers. Their governance was relatively democratic; they created the Mayflower Compact, which established a framework for self-governance based on majority rule.
Plymouth Colony is significant not only for its role in early American history but also for its ideals of religious freedom and community. The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, which has become a symbol of cooperation and gratitude. Over time, Plymouth Colony would eventually merge with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, but the legacy of the Pilgrims lives on as an important part of American culture and history.
Mayflower & Pilgrims
The Mayflower was the ship that carried the Pilgrims, also known as Separatists, from England to the New World in 1620. The Pilgrims were a group of English Calvinists who sought to break away from the Church of England because they believed it was corrupt. After living in the Netherlands for a time, they decided to journey to America for religious freedom and a chance to create a new community based on their beliefs.
The voyage was challenging, with rough seas and cramped conditions. The Mayflower originally intended to land in Virginia, but after a difficult journey, it anchored off the coast of present-day Massachusetts. On December 21, 1620, the Pilgrims disembarked and established Plymouth Colony.
Once settled, the Pilgrims faced harsh winters and struggles with food shortages, but they received help from local Native Americans, particularly the Wampanoag tribe. Their successful harvest in 1621 led to the famous feast that we now recognize as the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims’ journey on the Mayflower and their establishment of Plymouth Colony are significant events in American history, symbolizing the quest for religious freedom and the beginnings of a new society.
Puritan/Congregationalists & Massachusetts Bay Colony
slides:
-Wanted to reform Church of England from within (less radical than Pilgrim separatists)
-New England would be an example of reform for Old England, a “city on a hill”.
-Royal Charter granted in 1629; loophole allowed transfer of company operations to America; charter the basis of a civil government
The Great Migration: 1630-1643
Approximately 20,000 Puritans from England to Massachusetts Bay Colony
Unlike the situation in Virginia, the migration was approximately equal numbers of men and women; more family groups. Population started growing through natural population growth (more births than deaths).
English Puritans & Calvinism
Calvinist beliefs include:
-Predestination; Only a few, the “elect”, were saved; A Christian state; Religious Self Government; Uncompromising and perfectionist; All honest work has dignity
John Winthrop, Governor: “A Modell of Christian Charity”
-A “city set upon a hill.”
-A “covenant”
—-
In the context of the Puritans in New England, the phrase “a city set upon a hill” symbolizes their aspiration to create a model Christian community that embodied their religious values and ideals. When John Winthrop used this phrase in his 1630 sermon, he emphasized the Puritans’ mission to establish a society grounded in Puritan principles, including hard work, piety, and communal responsibility.
For the Puritans, a covenant was a sacred agreement with God, where they believed they were chosen to live by His laws and create a godly society. This meant they had to uphold moral standards in exchange for God’s guidance and blessings.
-Strong sense of community and mutual responsibility
Problems/Limitations of this utopian community?
-No separation of church and state
-Who “belongs” and who does not “belong” in the Puritan ideal community?
—This included religious dissenters, such as Quakers or Baptists, as well as those accused of witchcraft or other immoral behaviors.
Dissenters
In New England, dissenters often challenged the strict norms and practices of the Puritans, advocating for religious freedom and differing interpretations of faith.
Pequot War (1636-38)
slides:
-Expansion and War
-240 Puritans and 1,000 Narragansett Indians surrounded palisaded village by the Mystic River.
-The English Puritans torched the town, killing about 400-600 inhabitants
-Gov. William Bradford (in Plymouth): called the massacre a “sweet sacrifice”
research:
The Pequot War (1636-1638) was a conflict between English settlers in New England and the Pequot tribe. It arose from competition over land and trade, particularly in the Connecticut River Valley. As English colonists expanded their settlements, tensions escalated with the Pequot, who resisted encroachment on their territory.
The war began in 1636 when a series of violent encounters led to the colonists forming an alliance with other Native American tribes, such as the Mohegan and Narragansett, against the Pequot. The conflict was marked by brutal battles, including the infamous Mystic Massacre in 1637, where colonial forces attacked a Pequot village, killing many inhabitants.
The war ended in 1638 with the near-destruction of the Pequot tribe. Survivors were either killed, captured, or dispersed, significantly reducing their population and power. The aftermath of the Pequot War resulted in increased English control over the region and set a precedent for future conflicts between Native Americans and colonial settlers, contributing to the cycle of violence and dispossession that characterized the colonial expansion in New England.
John Calvin
John Calvin (1509-1564) was a French theologian and pastor whose teachings played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation. He is best known for developing a system of Christian theology known as Calvinism, which emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the doctrine of predestination—the belief that God has predetermined who will be saved.
Calvin’s most influential work, “Institutes of the Christian Religion,” outlined his theological principles and became foundational for Reformed churches. He advocated for a disciplined and morally upright community, which resonated with groups like the Puritans. Calvin’s ideas spread throughout Europe, significantly impacting Protestant thought and leading to the establishment of various Reformed denominations. His legacy continues to influence modern Christianity, particularly in teachings about grace, faith, and church governance.
Governor John Winthrop
Governor John Winthrop (1588-1649) was a prominent leader of the Puritans who played a key role in the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived in America in 1630 as part of the Great Migration, leading a large group of Puritans seeking religious freedom and a chance to create a “city upon a hill”—a model Christian community that would reflect their values.
Winthrop served as the colony’s governor multiple times and was known for his strong leadership and vision. He emphasized the importance of community, moral responsibility, and the idea that the colony had a divine purpose. In his famous sermon “A Model of Christian Charity,” he articulated the idea of a united, supportive society where individuals worked for the common good, highlighting themes of cooperation and mutual care.
Thomas Hooker
slides:
-Wanted to give women the vote
-Left Boston in 1636
—
Thomas Hooker left Boston in 1636 primarily due to disagreements with the Puritan leadership regarding religious and political issues. He advocated for more inclusive voting rights and greater separation of church and state, believing that government should be based on the consent of the people rather than solely on the authority of the church.
Roger Williams
slides:
-Advocated separation between Church & State
-Recognized Native claims to land
-Banished in 1636
-Settled Providence, Rhode Island
research:
Roger Williams (1603-1683) was a prominent English theologian and founder of the Colony of Rhode Island. He is best known for advocating for the separation of church and state, a radical idea at the time. Williams believed that individuals should have the freedom to practice their religion without interference from the government or established churches.
After arriving in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he quickly found himself at odds with the Puritan leadership due to his views on religious tolerance and his recognition of Native American land rights. He argued that land should not be taken from Native peoples without fair compensation, which contrasted sharply with the practices of many colonists.
In 1636, his dissenting views led to his banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He fled south and founded Providence, Rhode Island, where he established a community that embraced religious freedom and fair treatment of Native Americans. Williams also played a key role in the formation of the first Baptist church in America. His legacy includes his contributions to the principles of religious liberty and the idea of a government that respects individual conscience, which continue to resonate in modern democratic societies.
Anne Hutchinson
Slides:
-Believed in certainty of salvation; led Bible studies
-Exiled in 1638
Research:
nne Hutchinson (1591-1643) was a prominent figure in early American history known for her role as a religious dissenter in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A Puritan woman, she held strong beliefs about personal faith and the interpretation of Scripture, emphasizing the idea that individuals could have a direct relationship with God without the need for intermediaries, such as ministers.
Hutchinson hosted Bible studies in her home, where she shared her interpretations of religious texts and challenged the rigid doctrines of the Puritan leaders. She believed in the “certainty of salvation” and argued that salvation was based on God’s grace rather than adherence to the law, which put her at odds with the male-dominated religious authority of her time.
In 1638, her views and growing influence led to her trial and subsequent exile from the colony, as she was seen as a threat to the social and religious order. After her banishment, she moved to what is now Rhode Island, where she continued to advocate for her beliefs. Hutchinson’s legacy is significant, as she is often regarded as an early champion of religious freedom and a symbol of the struggle for women’s rights in a patriarchal society. Her life and teachings highlight the complexities of faith and the pursuit of individual conscience in colonial America.
Pequot Tribe
The Pequot were a Native American tribe originally located in what is now Connecticut. They played a significant role in the region’s early history, particularly during the 17th century when European settlers began to encroach on their lands.
The Pequot War (1636-1638) was a major conflict between the Pequot tribe and English settlers, primarily from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Connecticut Colony, along with their Native American allies. The war was sparked by competition over land and resources, as settlers expanded into Pequot territory.
