Being the first two well-known places in which the English would set out to colonize in 1607 and 1620, Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts hold very separate set of beliefs, standards, and outlooks on life then and the future to come. While paving the way for things such as slavery, taxes, ownership of land, inclusion of women, tobacco and government assemblies, John Smith and the people of Jamestown became a classical foundation for new life and economic growth for the new world that is, the United States. On the other hand, William Bradford and his people began to realize the intentions of the Church of England were unholy and had strayed away from God’s teachings from the Bible. With this in mind, the Pilgrims set on a voyage to the new world to seek religious freedom. As we know it, the Pilgrims sought for peace and a new way of living that was fair, just and free from religious corruptions.
John Winthrop Jr had a vision that encompassed the possibility of establishing a settlement in the New World
Another idea that made Pennsylvania into a frontier religiously/politically was that Penn also incorporated his ideas of religious toleration and “natural right” into the founding of his colony. Pennsylvania offered religious tolerance of all religions and all individuals were given rights. During his time in Pennsylvania, Penn wrote the Charter of Liberties which told the world that Pennsylvania was “free to the people under it, where laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws.” Penn gave personal rights to everyone including Natives and Negros. All other colonies offered one or the other: tolerance or equal rights.
The colonists wanted religious freedom. One reason they originally left England was to escape the Catholic Church. Some called themselves Puritans. They wanted the church and the state to be more separate.
The New Englanders took religion seriously, making unitary laws according to Puritan standards. John Winthrop, later chosen as the first Massachusetts Bay Colony governor, was seeking religious freedom. Wishing to inspire the colonists to dwell in brotherly unity, he summoned them together to remind them “that if we [colonists] shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.” On the other hand, those in the Chesapeake region came for the wealth that America promised. They were there to become prosperous or die trying.
The author John Winthrop gave three distinct reasons on how to act fro the colony to succeed. “ First, hold conformity with the rest of his works” (35). This tells the colony that they will be in compliance with any standard law or rules. “ Secondly, that he might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his spirit” (35). The rich and the poor are no different and everyone is equal.
The Mayflower Compact and the Arbella Covenant. During the 1600’s many people had standards of how one should act to be seen as godly. Both the Pilgrims and Puritans had their own set of ideologies of what was seen as good and what was seen as bad. The New World was a chance for spiritual freedom and new opportunities.
The Puritan’s goal of coming to the New World was not to create a new life, but to create the ideal model of living for the “corrupt” inhabitants of England. This was coined “The Errand”, the Puritans desire to establish a City Upon a Hill that others could look up to and imitate in order to receive God’s grace. The Puritans failed at building their City Upon a Hill (creating a perfect religious, economic, and political community), however the long-term effects of their efforts have influenced American moral politics throughout its history. The Puritans forever had the attitude of a community that had successfully established a City Upon a Hill. The Puritan lifestyle was heavily influenced not only by religion, but also inside of that, morality.
We will of course start out at the beginning as one should and that is by discussing the Puritans and the American Dream. Now as little kids we all learned about the Puritans, but let’s dive in and analyze what their American Dream was. The Puritans had a vision on what they envisioned America to be. The Puritans were a group of English Reformed Protestants that embarked on a voyage and arrived in what is now New England in 1629. They were perhaps some of the first dreamers to arrive in the United States.
Thomas explains how Penn envisioned the colony to be “according to Quaker principles” (27) and the frame of government “provided for complete religious freedom and did not include government support for any church, including Quakerism” (28). In addition, Penn sought to bring the principles of peace and fair dealing with the natives in which were treated equally and with respect which resulted in no warfare with the natives compared to how hostile they were compared to other colonies. In order for Pennsylvania to make money, Penn tried to make land available on easy terms and encouraged the migration of families to the colony. This caused the migration of 3,000 more Friends to arrive from England and other immigrants to work as indentured servants and if competed their terms, they would also receive land to claim. According to Hamm, Pennsylvania was a success because of the “combination of relatively fertile soil and thrifty, hardworking farmers made it a land of plenty” (28).
Based on the passage deciphered, I believe the Puritans perceived their actions in the New World would be gratifying and righteous in the God’s sight. According to the Puritans religion you should live in unity, peace, and in love with all others, and anyone that no longer believe or strayed away form their beliefs would be exiled. Thereof no longer being just in the eyes of God. In my opinion the puritans actions were contrary to their own beliefs. It was quite selfish and unthoughtful in my eyes.
Winthrop was a first-generation colonist and a Puritan. He’s surely reciting his sermon to surge the moral of the Puritans. He knows that the New World is full of trees, Native Americans, and other severe treats. Winthrop wants to avert the impending fears of the New World creating this sermon. This document was certainly published to represent depict the
The arrival of the first Europeans in the Americas is dramatically captured through the many writers who attempted to communicate what they saw, experienced and felt. What is more, the very purposes of their treacherous travel and colonization are clearly seen in their writings; whether it is poetry, history or sermons. Of the many literary pieces available today, William Bradford and John Winthrop’s writings, even though vary because the first is a historical account and the second is a sermon, stand out as presenting a clear trust in God, the rules that would govern them and the reason they have arrived in the Americas. First of all, William Bradford provides an in-depth look into the first moment when the Puritans arrived in the Americas. In fact, he chronicles the hardships they face on their way to Plymouth, yet he includes God’s provision every step of the way.
William made sure that all people were treated equally and that everyone was able to practice the religion they wanted. Many called Pennsylvania the “melting pot” of the new world because there was a huge mix of cultures and religions. “Quaker ideals of equality, justice and individual rights shaped the formation of government for the colony and influenced the founding ideals of the U.S”
However, if they should fall to embrace this present world and prosecute carnal intentions, God would break out in a wrath against them. Winthrop explains one of his great metaphors as he states the only way to avoid this shipwreck was for the colonist to remain knitted together in this work as one man. Should they fulfil the covenant, God would bless colonist, and they would have bountiful plantations. This would lead to Winthrop’s most famous passage in his sermon, “We shall be as a city upon a hill; the eyes of all people are upon us.” (pg. 177)
