The New England colonies that settled in North America were predominantly composed of the Puritans, which originated in the rectification of protestant in England. Furthermore, they were the first of the English colony to bestow legal authorization to slavery, recognizing human captivity was acceptable in 1641. Hence, the 1641 bylaw is not purposely aimed for a certain tribe or ethnic group. During that period, there were also white men that were prisoner of war that were sold in some parts in the Caribbean. On the other hand, the Chesapeake colonies (including Virginia and Maryland), who made its mark during the 17th century composed of 70 to 85 percent white settlers were actually “Indentures”, meaning, that they are indebted to whomever
The Puritans sought to create a society that was more pure and righteous than the corrupt society they believed existed in England. The Massachusetts colonies were founded by Puritan separatists who left England in search of religious freedom. They believed that the Church of England was too hierarchical and corrupt, and they wanted to establish a society that was more focused on individual piety and a direct relationship with God. The Puritans emphasized education and literacy, and they believed that all members of the community should be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves.
Puritanism was a religious reform movement that wished to purify the Church of England of the remnants of the Roman Catholic faith. The Puritans were persecuted by many denominations across Europe and around 1620, King James I, a member of the Church of England, began oppressing the Puritan community as well. This led the Puritans to flee England and come to the New World where in the words of John Winthrop they were to build a “city upon a hill”. The Puritans settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colonies, more specifically just north of Boston. The most prominent members of this time were John Winthrop.
They came to New England to practice Christianity in a new way.” (Background Essay) Puritans believed in predestination, this means that God had already determined who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. They believed if they worked hard enough and did enough good they would be able to go to heaven. Puritans were scrupulous and
They then went on to teach Cotton Mathers the puritans beliefs. The puritan were a sect of Christian beliefs that originated in new England around the late sixteenth century. Some of their beliefs included that they thought that everyone was already condemned to Hell or are already promised going into Heaven. This belief is what separated them from the other sect of Christianity. Cotton Mather was born Feb. 12, 1663, Boston, Massachusetts.
In the Puritan society, having faith was very much important to them, this was a source in which all of their other aspects of their society and values came from. Puritans,sought to reform the Church from within. They believed that “uniformity was essential to social order” (Pg 72). Puritans believed that God chooses each individual from the time they are born for salvation or for condemnation. Only God knew the fate of each person.
They believed everything was a result of god’s grace. In order to gain salvation one must be entirely good and always stay in god’s favor, as god is the supreme ruler while human beings are all sinners. Puritans also held the bible in the highest regard, in
The Puritan colonists were bound by laws of morality with judgments with sentences that were the base of fear. The laws were centered on the basics of not going to church daily to practicing witchcraft, adultery, even not having regular sex to procreate. There were many laws of the time with cause and effect that harmed many people. Through the seventeenth century, laws were connected to morality, reflected in the ways Puritans used religious beliefs in the process of rendering judgment and assigning punishments to keep colonists from leaving their colony and gaining freedoms of their own. Puritan Religion ~
They believed that Church should follow their beliefs which were often very strict and left no room for leeway. Many Puritans came to the Americas to form communities where they were free to practice
Puritans always seemed to have a reason to justify and action no matter how radical. They didn’t just justify killing people they also justified taking things like land that was not theirs by use of bible passages. The Pequot Indians shared their land with the Puritans. Sharing however, was not something the Puritans seemed to be good at. They wanted the Indians out of the picture and wanted the land for themselves.
With the Puritans having strict religious beliefs about the devil and God, it gave them strong feelings about the ways in which women impacted their community. Along with their religious beliefs, their society had certain beliefs about women and the way they should act which led them to suspect anything out of the “norm” as a sign of the devil. While some of this could be on women and the way we speak, the Puritans already had such strong feelings toward the vulnerable mind of women that it wouldn’t matter. The women were represented by weakness in nearly every aspect a person can be judged on and this thought of them as the weaker vessel is what ultimately led to them being accused and persecuted more than men during the Salem Witch
While the Puritans acted in inhumane ways, the Puritans ' actions towards others reflected their beliefs because of the Puritans ' reasoning to the idea of slavery, the Puritans ' engagement of war, and the Puritans ' brutal acts towards the Indians. The Puritans believed that as long as their actions were supported by the English understanding of religion and morality and were within the bounds of law, these actions were justified. The treatment of people in the 1600s may not have been seen as something peaceful, but during the time it supported the Puritan belief. First, the Puritans ' actions towards others reflected their beliefs because of the Puritans ' reasoning to the idea of slavery. As it has been noted by historians, specifically
Puritans believed the devil could persuade people to do evil things. Puritan Ministers compared women women to Eve implying that women were no good from the beginning of time, the minister, Samuel Parris, might have led to the witch hunt with the push to believe in evil things. These beliefs lead to strict physical and mental punishments. Some punishments were sitting in stocks and splitting of tongues. Another punishment was cutting off hands or ears.
Twas the year 1630 and a strong, hardworking man that went by the name John Winthrop took the very first group of English Puritans to Massachusetts. Puritans are not as relevant today as they were back then however people should study their beliefs and how it has influenced literature to this date. Surprisingly literature has reflected the values of a Puritan by showing their hard-working skills, presenting their true devotion to god, and elevating the fear aspect of their feelings toward Hell. For starters the Puritans were noted as very dedicated laborers. For instance the journal entries, Of Plymouth Plantation written by William Bradford, “fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed them meat,” After the majority of the Puritans fell sick
Their religion was strict. The Puritans did not believe in pleasures, they were modest in their religion and lifestyle and disliked any religion that was not their own (“Puritans”). The Puritans wanted to establish a pure church. As a result of this they experienced religious persecution. People that lived on land that was inhabited by the Puritans could only practice the Puritan religion (“ Puritans”).