Roles and Challenges of Colonial Women

Sep 17, 2024

Lecture on Euro-American Women in Colonial Era: Community and Control

Introduction

  • Lecture focuses on colonial Euro-Americans, particularly Puritans.
  • Puritans were religious dissenters from England, arriving in New England.
  • Topic explores witchcraft and women's history.

Coverture and Patriarchy

  • Coverture: Legal principle where women were owned by fathers, then husbands.
  • Euro-American culture was extremely patriarchal.
  • Men controlled households, property, courts, government, and churches.

Puritans: Beliefs and Societal Roles

  • Known wrongly as "pilgrims"; they identified as Puritans.
  • Viewed themselves as purer than Church of England and Catholics.
  • Belief in literal interpretation of the Bible.

Predestination

  • Concept where individuals are predestined for heaven or hell at birth.
  • Wealth and material possessions seen as indicators of being on "God's team."
  • No concept of free will or choice in determining fate.

Anne Hutchinson: Heresy and Banishment

  • Midwife, wife, and mother with strong theological background.
  • Midwives were primary health care providers.
  • Conducted Bible study as a religious layperson.

Covenant of Works vs. Covenant of Grace

  • Covenant of Works: Judging people by their material possessions.
  • Covenant of Grace: Judging based on internal grace and relationship with God.
  • Anne noticed discrepancies between wealth and godly behavior.

Anne's Theological Views

  • Believed in grace over works to determine one's divine fate.
  • Faced opposition from church elders who favored works.

Heresy Trial and Outcome

  • Church elders accused Anne of heresy, struggled to convict her due to her education.
  • Anne claimed divine revelation, leading to her conviction.
  • Punishment for heresy was banishment.
  • Anne and her family moved to Rhode Island, faced tragedy.

Conclusion of Part One

  • The lecture transitions to part two, focusing on witches.
  • Highlighted the challenges faced by women in religious and patriarchal contexts.

This concludes the summary of part one of the lecture. The next section will delve deeper into the theme of witchcraft among Puritans.