Lecture 3: Pilgrims, Puritans, and Religious Freedom in Early America

Overview

• Focus on two groups: Pilgrims and Puritans
• Concept of religious freedom and colonies that practiced it
• Timeline and background of settlements in New England

Pilgrims and Puritans

• Both groups known as Puritans in England
• Differences:
  • Pilgrims: Separating Puritans, broke from Church of England
  • Massachusetts Bay Puritans: Non-separating, wanted to reform the Church
• Pilgrims arrived in 1620 (Plymouth)
• Puritans arrived over a decade later (Massachusetts Bay)
• Plymouth Colony absorbed by Massachusetts Bay in 1691

Broader Religious Context

• Christianity's branches: Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant
• Protestant Reformation (1517) led to various sects
• Anglicans (Church of England) vs. Calvinists
• Puritans wanted to "purify" Church of England from Catholic practices

Pilgrim's Journey

• William Brewster: Influential dissenter
• Dissenters fled to the Netherlands, later moved to Plymouth
• Sought a religious commune free from worldly influences
• Thanksgiving myth contrasts with historical brutality (Pequot War)
• Native American alliances and conflicts

Puritans in Massachusetts Bay

• Great English Migration (1630s-1642)
• Non-separating Puritans sought to reform Church, feared Catholic resurgence
• John Winthrop: First governor, influential leader
• Puritan society based on covenant with God and civil covenants
  • Marriage as a contract, allowed divorce
  • Puritan dilemma: live in world of sin without sinning

Religious Freedom in Colonies

• Roger Williams: Exiled for separatist views, founded Rhode Island
  • Promoted religious toleration
• New Netherland: Dutch trading settlement with religious freedom
  • Focused on profit, not religion
• Slavery was present in all colonies; northern colonies had slaves but were not "slave societies"

Conclusion

• Colonies like Rhode Island and New Netherland offered religious toleration
• Enlightenment and religious diversity in America led to freedom of religion in First Amendment
• Importance of change over time in understanding the development of religious freedom and governance in America.