Lecture Notes: New England Settlements and the Puritans

Introduction to Puritan Settlements

• The New England settlements were markedly different from Chesapeake settlements (Virginia, Maryland).
• New England settlers were primarily middle class, family-oriented, and included farmers, shopkeepers, and artisans.
• Puritans aimed to purify the Protestant faith, distinct from the Anglicanism of Virginia.
• The environment in New England was harsher but healthier than Chesapeake, requiring hard labor.

Puritan Work Ethic

• Puritans emphasized hard work as a form of worship and a sign of God’s approval.
• New England society valued education, with a focus on literacy for reading the Bible.
• Public grammar schools were common; book ownership was prevalent.
• Printing press established at Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640.

Puritan Religious Beliefs and Practices

• Puritans believed in predestination and that salvation was selective.
• The Puritan work ethic was tied to their religious beliefs, promoting thrift, diligence, and delayed gratification.
• They strictly enforced morality laws and sought to maintain a covenant with God.

The Great Migration and Colony Development

• The "Great Migration" brought thousands of Puritans to New England in the 1630s.
• John Winthrop led the Massachusetts Bay Company to establish a self-governing colony.
• The Puritans aimed to create a "city upon a hill" as a model Christian community.

Religious Dissent and Tension

• Disagreements among Puritans led to conflicts and the establishment of new settlements.
• Rhode Island became a refuge for religious dissenters like Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson.

Relations with Native Americans

• New England tribes lacked political unity, unlike the Powhatan confederacy in Virginia.
• Initial cooperation between Puritans and tribes like the Wampanoag deteriorated, leading to conflicts.
• The Pequot War (1636-1637) was a major conflict resulting in Puritan victory and the decimation of the Pequot tribe.

Missionary Efforts and Praying Towns

• Missionary efforts began in the late 1640s, led by figures like John Eliot.
• Praying towns were established for converting Native Americans to Christianity, often eroding their traditional culture.
• Conversion efforts were met with resistance; many Native Americans remained attached to their own beliefs.

Population and Cultural Dynamics

• New England was healthier and had a more balanced sex ratio compared to the Chesapeake.
• Puritan communities were tight-knit, with a focus on family labor to maintain farms.

Conclusion

• The lecture concluded with the promise to cover King Philip's War, Bacon's Rebellion, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina in the next lecture.