Puritans

Definition

The Puritans were a Protestant religious group that emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries, seeking to 'purify' the Church of England from what they saw as Catholic practices. They were known for their strict moral and religious beliefs, as well as their desire to establish a godly society in the New World.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Puritans believed in the absolute sovereignty of God and the innate sinfulness of humanity, leading to their emphasis on strict moral and religious discipline.
2. Puritans sought to create a 'City upon a Hill' - a model of a godly society that would serve as an example to the rest of the world.
3. Puritans were known for their strict adherence to the Bible, which they saw as the sole source of religious authority, and their rejection of Catholic and Anglican practices.
4. Puritan beliefs, such as predestination and the importance of individual salvation, shaped their approach to education, government, and social structures in the colonies.
5. The Puritan work ethic, which emphasized hard work, thrift, and self-discipline, had a significant influence on the development of American culture and values.

Review Questions

• Explain the Puritan belief in predestination and how it influenced their approach to religion and society.
  • The Puritan belief in predestination, the idea that God had already determined who would be saved and who would be damned, had a profound impact on their religious and social views. This belief led the Puritans to emphasize individual salvation and a strict adherence to God's will, as they believed that their actions and behaviors could not change their predetermined fate. This belief in predestination also shaped the Puritans' approach to establishing a godly society, as they sought to create a 'City upon a Hill' that would serve as a model of righteous living and devotion to God.
• Analyze the role of the Puritans in the development of the Restoration Colonies, particularly in the context of Charles II's rule.
  • During the Restoration period under Charles II, the Puritans faced increasing tensions with the English crown, as the monarch sought to reassert control over the colonies and limit the influence of Puritan religious and political beliefs. The Puritans, who had established a strong presence in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and other New England settlements, resisted efforts to undermine their autonomy and religious practices. This led to conflicts with the Crown, such as the revocation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's charter and the imposition of the Dominion of New England, which sought to centralize colonial governance under the Crown. The Puritans' resistance to these measures and their continued influence in the Restoration Colonies played a significant role in the ongoing religious and political tensions between the colonies and the English monarchy during this period.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Puritan beliefs and values on the development of American society and culture.
  • The Puritan beliefs and values that were central to their religious and social worldview had a profound and lasting impact on the development of American society and culture. The Puritan emphasis on individual salvation, hard work, thrift, and self-discipline, as well as their desire to create a godly society, shaped many of the core values and attitudes that would come to define the American character. The Puritans' influence can be seen in the importance placed on education, the strong work ethic, and the emphasis on personal responsibility and moral virtue that have been hallmarks of American culture. Additionally, the Puritans' belief in the separation of church and state and the autonomy of local communities laid the groundwork for the democratic principles that would come to define the American system of government. While the Puritans' strict religious beliefs and practices have faded over time, their lasting impact on the American psyche and institutions remains a significant part of the country's cultural heritage.

Related terms

Predestination: The Puritan belief that God had already determined who would be saved and who would be damned, based on His divine plan.

Congregationalism: The Puritan system of church governance, where each local congregation was self-governing and independent from central authority.

Massachusetts Bay Colony: The Puritan settlement established in 1630 that became a center of Puritan religious and political influence in New England.