Overview
This lecture covers the origins, beliefs, and impact of the Puritans in colonial America, highlighting their religious motivations, societal structure, conflicts, and eventual decline.
Origins and Beliefs of the Puritans
- The Puritans were the second major group seeking religious freedom in America after the Pilgrims.
- Unlike Pilgrims, Puritans wanted to reform ("purify") the Anglican Church, not separate from it.
- The term "Puritan" comes from their desire to purify the Church of England.
- In 1629, the Puritans formed the Massachusetts Bay Company and received a royal charter to establish a colony.
Settlement and Leadership
- Puritans were wealthier than many other colonists, allowing them to be well-prepared upon arrival.
- John Winthrop led a group of 900 Puritans to America in 1630, settling near modern-day Boston.
- Winthrop’s "city on a hill" sermon emphasized the colony as a model of religious virtue for the world.
Expansion and Religious Intolerance
- Over 30,000 Puritans migrated during the 1630s-1640s, a period called the Great Migration.
- Only male church members (and later, landowners) could vote in the Puritan colony.
- Despite fleeing persecution, Puritans themselves did not tolerate other religious beliefs, leading to dissent and new colonies.
- Thomas Hooker founded Connecticut, Roger Williams established Rhode Island, and John Wheelwright led settlers to what became New Hampshire.
Conflicts and Decline
- Disputes over land with Native Americans led to escalating conflicts, culminating in King Philip's War (1675).
- Economic struggles forced Puritans to trade with non-church members, leading to relaxed religious strictness.
- Land shortages and internal disputes further weakened the community.
- By the early 1700s, the Puritan hold on power faded as their strict society dissolved into broader New England communities.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Puritans — English Protestants aiming to purify the Church of England.
- Massachusetts Bay Company — The company formed by Puritans to establish their colony.
- Great Migration — Period when 30,000+ Puritans moved to America (1630s-1640s).
- "City on a Hill" — Vision for the colony as a model Christian community.
- Religious Persecution — Mistreatment due to differing religious beliefs.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for a later lecture on King Philip's War.
- Review the questions provided (not included in transcript).