Who were the Puritans and how do they

Who were the Puritans? …and how do they affect us today?

Puritan People � 17 th & 18 th Century �wanted to “purify” English citizens the Church of �“protestant” England (Anglican) Christian group �most wanted to �believed the Church remain loyal to of England was too England the political, corrupt, Church of England “evil”

Puritan Beliefs �all people were sinners �following God was the only “right” thing to do �everything was “predestined” by God �Hell was a real place and the Devil was a real “person” �the Devil was always trying to make people to do evil things

Puritans and the Bible �the Bible was the absolute “word of God” �the Bible influenced everything… �everything was done for the glory of God �school & education �government & laws �raising a family �farming �building homes & communities �conducting trade & business �etc.

Puritans and Church �Attendance was mandatory �Non-attenders could be fined or jailed �Services were long �Sermons and prayers lasted for hours �Feathers and canes were used to awaken those who fell asleep �Churches were simply designed/decorated �Hymns were sung acapella �Christmas was NOT celebrated

Puritan Prediction…. �What does the phrase “Puritan Work Ethic” mean?

Puritans at Work �life was supposed to be difficult �an easy life was a sinful life �hard work builds strength and character �hard work results in material/spiritual wealth 6 -day work week + Sunday worship = place in heaven

Puritan Work Ethic �Meaning in Colonial �Meaning in Modern Days: �Hard work now means a heavenly reward later Days: �Hard work now means material rewards and success now

Puritan Work Ethic �Working hard is now called the Protestant Work Ethic. �American businesses like “Puritan-type” workers. �Characteristics: �Punctual �Perfectionists �Self-starting �Self-disciplined �Respectful of others

Puritans Come to America �About 40 Puritan- � 1625 King Charles I Separatists-Pilgrims persecuted Puritans heavily arrived in 1620 aboard Mayflower � 1630 John Winthrop led 700 Puritans to MA �established �Est. Mass. Bay Colony Plymouth Colony �began the “Great �wrote “Mayflower Migration” Compact”

Puritans Come to America � 1641 -1653 English �MA Population: Civil War � 1621 � 1000’s of Puritans � 1630 moved to America � 1640 �Puritans wanted a � 1650 bible-based society � 1700 �Non-Puritans were criticized and expelled c. 50 c. 1, 000 c. 10, 000 c. 15, 000 c. 55, 000

Notable Puritan Events �Harvard College �Salem Witchcraft trials �oldest institution for � 1692, Salem, MA higher education in �c. 100 arrested & 20 hanged America �mass hysteria �intended to train men for the ministry �cause unknown �established in 1636

Notable Puritan Events �First Great �began a revival movement… lots of Awakening preaching and � 1730 s/40 s, in New teaching England Middle �many new churches Colonies �believed colonies had were started lost their religious zeal

Puritan Prediction…. �What does the word “irony” mean? �What is “ironic” about the Puritans?

The Irony of the Puritans �The Puritans came �The Puritans would to America in not let non-Puritans search of “religious have “religious freedom. ” �They wanted other �They were intolerant religions to be tolerant

Puritan Prediction…. �Identify two ways Puritan beliefs or values are still part of our 21 st century culture.

Who were the Puritans? People who still affect us today…