EUROPEANS ARRIVE IN NEW ENGLAND

August 11

Puritan Beliefs Believed in hard work God rewarded hard work with economic

success People should pray & read the Bible daily People should live devout lives “Predestination” – God had already chosen a

select group of people who would go to Heaven.

Stop and Jot – Thinking about America today, what Puritan beliefs do you think have had a lasting impact on America? Provide examples.

Religious Motivations

Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England.

Were persecuted by King Charles I Burned Puritan books, evicted some

Puritans Wanted freedom to practice their

religion without fear of persecution Travelled to America to form their

own colony

Pilgrims Travel to America About 100 people sailed on the

Mayflower Later became known as Pilgrims Landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts

in 1620

Mayflower Compact An agreement and framework to form a

system of self-government Colonists would elect their own

legislators and a governor.

Plymouth, Massachusetts First New England colony

Religious dissent (disagreement with Church of England) brought people to America

Puritans established community on Biblical teachings

More Puritans, led by John Winthrop, followed in 1630. Founded Boston Wanted to form a “City on a Hill”

An example for the entire world to follow.

Life in Massachusetts “For we must consider that we shall be as a

City on a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. [So] that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword throughout the world.” - John Winthrop

Town Hall meetings Precursor to Democracy

Attempted to make an ideal society. Did not tolerate religious dissent/pluralism “Lawlessness of liberty of conscience.”

Very harsh winters, many died and starved.

Religious Dissent

Roger Williams Believed that the Puritans were not doing enough to

reform and attain religious piety. Said the Puritans didn’t have the right to force the

Indians from their land – they should be paid. Williams fled to Rhode Island, which became a haven

of religious tolerance. Rhode Island accepted people of all kinds of Christian

denominations, and even some Jews.

Stop and Jot – Think about your community. Is religious pluralism a positive or a negative thing? Should everyone follow the same religion?

Salem Witch Trials

Puritans attributed many things to witchcraft.

How to determine witches? Salem Witch Trials

1692. Executed 19 suspected witch. Ended when the Governor’s wife was

convicted.

Exit Quiz

1.) What was the Mayflower Compact?

2.) What was special about Rhode Island?

3.) What religious group founded the first British colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts?

Exit Quiz

4.) The primary motivation for people travelling to Virginia was to farm and make money. What was the primary motivation of people who travelled to Massachusetts to settle?

5.) Explain what is meant by a “City on a Hill.”

Bonus) Who came up with the idea of the “City on a Hill”?