Protestant Reformation – Martin Luther --1517 Breaks from Catholic Church Faith determine salvation –denounce authority of the Pope
Calvin
Elaborated on Luther Calvinism Institutes of Christian Religion– 1536 Original sin – weak and wicked Predestination == “the elect” went to heaven “good works” sacraments –wont get you there Did not act immoral “conversion experience” and become “visible saints” models for the community
Puritans
Form Church of England --- Henry 8 Puritans – Protestants seeking to reform the Anglican How Remove anything Catholic
Pilgrims
Separatist Extreme group of Puritans Break church all together James I – threaten his leadership wants them out First wave – go to Holland Why Religious freedom Jon Robinson leader –un happy with “Dutchification”
Pilgrims
What do the Pilgrims want ???? Practice religion without as Englishmen without interference Where will they go VA company – Pilgrims agree to work 7 years in return for support Profits of VA Co will be shared among settlers and investors after 7 years
Arrival
Settle outside the domain of VA –New England Mayflower – 102 people and fewer than half were Separatist “hijacked” the ship and gained consents of non separatists by issuing Mayflower Compact Settlers became “squatters” No legal right to land and no government (no charter from crown)
Plymouth Plantation
• Pilgrims drew up the Mayflower Compact, t first government of colonial New England – The compact was like the church covenant, except that it established a civil government and professed allegiance to the king. Compact is not a Constitution but an agreement
Mayflower Compact
Purpose: Legitimize Pilgrims Settlement Created a secular document James I – King –created a body of all settlers with power to devise laws and elect leaders Would later merge with Massachusetts Bay Colony Seed of Democracy – Agreement for a majority rule among settlers
Mayflower Compact and Survival
Adult Male Settlers—excluding servants Make laws and conduct open discussions No One left—despite ½ died first winter Thanksgiving– 1621– Alliance with Natives is formed – Corn cultivation and where to fish Wampanoag's and pilgrims agree to protect each other Corn provides survival and Pilgrims adopt custom of giving thanks Peace will last 41
Success of Pilgrims
Developed economy –fur trade, fishing and lumber Religion paramount William Bradford – leader – Distribute land among settlers to encourage farming 1691 merge with Massachusetts Bay Colony –7,000
Massachusetts Bay Colony
• 1629, a group of Puritan merchants obtained a grant of land in New England Why were they unhappy --- Charles I had dismissed Parliament and sanction anti-Puritan persecution – sought to create a refuge for Puritans, and exploit wealth of America Cambridge Agreement --- served as colonies constitution for many years
Massachusetts Bay Colony
• 1630, 17 ships,1,000 people (mostly families) left England for Massachusetts – The Great Puritan Migration the largest single migration of its kind in the 17th 15,000 come to New England – turmoil • Puritans who settled Massachusetts shared many of the Pilgrims' beliefs, but were not separatists. – Wanted to reform, not break away from English Church
Civil War in England
English Civil War end migration (1642-1649) Stay to fight Royalists forces Take over the Government Oliver Cromwell leader Behead Charles I
Puritan Government
• John Winthrop named first governor of the colony– Covenant Theology –Puritans had a covenant with God Religious experiment in New World – definition of "freemen" was soon changed to include all male citizens, not just the stockholders
Puritan Government
• By 1644, a bicameral legislature was established: – a lower House of Deputies – an upper chamber consisting of the governor and his council Winthrop was a strong leader Massachusetts=most influential and biggest of New England Colonies
Religion in Massachusetts
• In every town, the community church had "complete liberty to stand alone," – Not bound to Anglican hierarchy or ritual • Each congregation chose its own minister and regulated its own affairs—Congregational church • Ministers worked closely with government – Ministers had no formal political power, but exerted great influence on church members
Religion in Massachusetts
• Only church members could hold government office – Government protected the ministers, taxed members and non-members alike to support the church, and enforced the law requiring attendance at services
Government
Open to all Free Adult Males (2/5) population Belong Puritan congregation Congregational Church Non Religious men and women =no voting Town hall meeting --- democratic Allowed all male property holders to vote and publically discuss issues Votes were decided by majority
Government
Purpose : enforce God’s laws Only Puritans could be Free Men Visible Saints Free men elected Governor and his assistants And a representative assembly called General Court Winthrop hated Democracy and distrusted Non Puritians
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