All About the Puritan New England Colonies

Summary

This episode of 'Homer History' explores the establishment of New England by the Puritans, who sought religious freedom and a society under Christ's lordship. Unlike the profit-driven settlers in the south, these northern colonists aimed to build a home, leading to the formation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The video discusses the Mayflower Compact, the colony's struggles and eventual prosperity, and the Puritans' complex relationship with the indigenous people, culminating in King Phillip's War. It also highlights the Puritans' democratic-like governance and their vibrant, faith-filled community life.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The first permanent British settlement in the Americas was Jamestown, known for its history of cannibalism, starvation, and greed.
• 🌨️ The settlers of New England were different from those in the southern colonies; they aimed to establish a society where they could worship freely.
• 🤔 The Puritans, who settled in New England, were English Protestants seeking to purify the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences.
• 📜 The Puritans were influenced by John Calvin, making them Calvinists, and believed in predestination as per the Scriptures.
• 👑 King James I was against the Separatists, a subgroup of Puritans who felt the Church of England was beyond redemption, leading to their persecution.
• 🚢 The Separatists, who later became known as Pilgrims, sailed on the Mayflower and landed in New England, missing their intended destination by 600 miles.
• 📝 The Mayflower Compact was a significant document that established a form of self-governance for the colonists, setting a precedent for democratic practices.
• 🌾 The New England colonies thrived due to family-based farming, a diversified economy, and a shared purpose among the settlers.
• 🏛️ The Massachusetts Bay Colony was officially named after the initial Pilgrim settlement and became a beacon of Christian society.
• ⚔️ Conflicts with Native Americans, like King Phillip's War, arose as settlers encroached on indigenous lands, leading to violent confrontations and retaliations.

Q & A

What was the primary motivation for English settlers in New England?

The primary motivation for English settlers in New England was to establish a society where Christ was king and they could worship freely according to their consciences, driven by their religious zeal as Puritans.

Who were the Puritans and what was their religious goal?

The Puritans were English Protestants who aimed to purify the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences. They were deeply influenced by John Calvin, making them Calvinists, and believed in predestination as dictated by Scripture.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact was significant as it established a form of self-governance for the colonists, providing a precedent for democratic habits in America by allowing them to submit to the will of the majority.

How did the settlers in New England differ from those in the Chesapeake colonies?

The settlers in New England were more focused on establishing a home and society based on religious freedom, whereas those in the Chesapeake colonies were primarily motivated by economic gain.

What was the impact of the first winter on the Pilgrims in New England?

The first winter had a devastating impact on the Pilgrims in New England, with more than half of them dying due to privation and hardship.

Why was the Massachusetts Bay Colony named the 'Bible Commonwealth'?

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was named the 'Bible Commonwealth' due to its reputation for fidelity to the scriptures and the religious devotion of its settlers.

How did the Puritans view the concept of governance and who could participate?

The Puritans believed in a representative government where every free man, provided he was a member of a Puritan congregation, was given a say in government affairs, though they thought most people were incapable of governing themselves.

Who was Metacom and what was his role in the conflicts with the settlers?

Metacom, known to the English as King Phillip, was an Indian leader who united tribes in a common defense against the settlers, leading to attacks on 52 Puritan towns and initiating King Phillip's War.

What was the outcome of King Phillip's War and how was Metacom treated by the English?

King Phillip's War ended with the English retaliating with great force and winning. Metacom was treated harshly; his family was sold into slavery, he was beheaded, his body dismembered, and his head was mounted on a pike in Plymouth.

How did the Puritans balance their strict religious beliefs with daily life?

Despite their strict religious beliefs, the Puritans lived a balanced life, enjoying singing, wearing bright clothing, and partaking in prodigious amounts of rum, living in the joy of their Lord.

Outlines

00:00

🏴‍☠️ Early Settlements in New England

This paragraph discusses the contrast between the English settlers in the southern colonies, like Jamestown, and those in New England. It highlights the Puritans' quest for religious freedom and their establishment of a society under Christ's rule. The Puritans, influenced by John Calvin, believed in predestination and sought to purify the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences. A subgroup, the Separatists, felt the Church was beyond redemption and chose to separate from it. They faced persecution under King James I and eventually established a settlement in New England after a voyage on the Mayflower. The Mayflower Compact, signed before disembarking, laid the groundwork for democratic principles in America. The settlers faced harsh conditions, with over half dying in the first winter, but they persevered and were rewarded with bountiful harvests. The colony was named the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and it thrived due to family-based farms and a diversified economy. The paragraph also touches on the settlers' interactions with the Native Americans, leading to conflicts and wars, such as King Phillip's War.

05:00

🏛️ The Massachusetts Bay Colony and Puritan Society

The second paragraph delves into the political and social structure of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, emphasizing the role of Puritan congregation members in governance. Despite a progressive approach to allowing free men a voice in government, the Puritans believed in a representative government where elected officials ruled. The colony was known as the Bible Commonwealth due to its strict adherence to scripture. The paragraph challenges the modern perception of Puritans as rigid and joyless, painting a picture of a community that celebrated faith through song, colorful clothing, and even indulgence in rum. It concludes by acknowledging the darker times that lay ahead for the colony, hinting at future discussions.

Keywords

💡Jamestown

Jamestown is historically significant as the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, established in 1607. In the context of the video, it serves as a point of comparison to the New England colonies, highlighting the differences in the reasons for settlement and the experiences of the colonists. The video contrasts Jamestown's struggles with cannibalism and greed with the more communal and religiously motivated settlements in New England.

💡New England

New England refers to the region in the northeastern United States that was initially colonized by English Puritans. The video discusses how the settlers in New England were different from those in the southern colonies, focusing on their religious motivations and the establishment of a society based on Christian principles, as opposed to the economic motivations of the southern colonies.

💡Puritans

The Puritans were English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences. They are a central focus of the video, as they were the primary settlers of New England, motivated by religious freedom and the desire to establish a society under Christ's lordship. The video explains their Calvinist beliefs, including the doctrine of predestination.

💡Separatists

Separatists were a faction within the Puritan movement who believed the Church of England was irredeemably corrupt and sought complete separation from it. The video describes how they were persecuted by King James I and eventually negotiated with the Virginia Company to establish a settlement in the Americas, which led to the Mayflower's voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony.

💡Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact was a document signed by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, establishing a form of self-government in their new settlement. The video emphasizes its importance as a precursor to American democratic principles, as it provided a framework for the colonists to submit to the will of the majority.

💡Massachusetts Bay Colony

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English colony in New England, officially established in 1629. The video highlights its significance as a thriving colony that attracted more Puritan settlers and became known for its religious and economic development, setting a precedent for representative government where freemen elected officials.

💡Predestination

Predestination is a Calvinist doctrine that asserts God's sovereignty over all events, including the salvation of individuals. The video explains how this belief shaped the Puritans' worldview and their approach to religious life, influencing their settlement and governance in the New World.

💡King Phillip's War

King Phillip's War, also known as Metacom's War, was a conflict between Native American tribes and English colonists in New England in the 1670s. The video discusses the war as a significant event in the history of the colonies, where the united tribes led by Metacom (King Phillip) attacked the settlers, leading to a brutal retaliation and the eventual defeat of the Native American alliance.

💡Metacom

Metacom, also known as King Phillip to the English, was a Native American leader who united various tribes in a defense against English encroachment. The video describes his role in King Phillip's War, highlighting the conflict between the colonists and the Native Americans over land and resources.

💡Bible Commonwealth

The term 'Bible Commonwealth' refers to the reputation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for its strict adherence to biblical principles. The video uses this term to illustrate the colony's commitment to religious purity and governance, reflecting the Puritans' desire to create a society based on Christian ethics.

💡Calvinism

Calvinism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that follows the theological traditions of John Calvin. The video explains how the Puritans, as Calvinists, were influenced by Calvin's teachings, particularly in their beliefs about predestination and the importance of a covenantal relationship with God, which informed their religious practices and social organization in the New World.

Highlights

Introduction to the history of New England and its differences from the southern colonies.

The Puritans' aim to establish a society where Christ was king and they could worship freely.

Puritans were English Protestants with a zeal to purify the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences.

Influence of Swiss reformer John Calvin on the Puritans, leading to their identification as Calvinists.

The doctrine of predestination and its significance for Calvinists.

The separatist movement within the Puritans and their belief in the irredeemable corruption of the Church of England.

King James I's persecution of the separatists and their subsequent move to Holland.

The Mayflower Compact and its role in establishing democratic principles in America.

The hardships faced by the Pilgrims during their first winter in New England.

The growth and prosperity of the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to family-based farms and a diversified economy.

Governor John Winthrop's sermon about being 'a city upon a hill' as a beacon to other societies.

The difference between the economic motivations of the Chesapeake and New England colonies.

The conflicts between the settlers and the Native Americans, leading to King Phillip's War.

The English response to Metacom's rebellion, including his execution and the treatment of his family.

The establishment of a representative government in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, with freemen electing officials.

The reputation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as the 'Bible Commonwealth' due to its fidelity to scriptures.

The Puritans' balance of emphasizing doctrines of sin and hell with the grace, love, and forgiveness of Christ.

The Puritans' lifestyle, including their enjoyment of song, bright clothing, and rum, contrary to the stereotype of rigidity.

Transcripts

hello and welcome back to Homer history

last time we talked about the first

permanent British settlement in the

Americas namely Jamestown and we had fun

reminiscing about our national heritage

of cannibalism starvation and greed but

now we're going to shift our eyes to the

north and consider the region that will

become known as New England and we're

going to try to figure out why those

English people who settled in the

northern colonies were so much different

from those who settled in the southern

colonies and why those people in the

northern colonies didn't you know eat

each other but you could old-school

[Music]

now the folks who settled in New England

were not the shifty money-grubbing

charlatans that we met in Virginia the

northern settlers came to establish a

society in which Christ was king and

they could worship freely according to

their consciences and these folks were

known as the Puritans now the Puritans

were English Protestants which is to say

not Catholic and they had this religious

zeal to purify the Church of England

from all of its Roman Catholic

influences and they were deeply

influenced by the Swiss reformer John

Calvin and thus they were known as

Calvinists and one of the things it

meant to be a Calvinist is that they

were convinced from the pages of

Scripture that God brought all things to

pass which was a doctrine known as

predestination but there was a little

contingent of folks within the Puritans

known as the separatist and when they

looked at the Church of England

they thought it was hopelessly corrupt

beyond all purification and so they

wanted to wait for it separate from the

Church of England now King James the

first did not like the separatist and he

harassed them to no end he was all like

nice capris bro and the separatists were

all like stop it that's just a rough

approximation of how it went

and so after living in Holland for a

while the separatists negotiated with

the Virginia company to establish a

settlement within their jurisdiction in

the Americas and so in 1620 the

separatists boarded the Mayflower sailed

across the sea missed Virginia by like

600 miles and landed on the stony coast

of New England now before disembarking

they all agreed to something called the

Mayflower Compact this is a very

important document in American history

now it wasn't a constitution per se but

it did make provision for the colonists

to submit themselves to the will of the

majority and forever hence Americans

would look back to that moment as the

precedent for our democratic habits now

much in the same way that the folks down

in Jamestown suffered much privation and

hardship the pilgrims in New England

suffered an incredible amount during

their first winter I mean more than half

of them died but they stayed there they

didn't leave and they were rewarded for

their perseverance with bountiful

harvests the next fall a few year

later this colony was officially named

the Massachusetts Bay Colony and over

time many more pilgrims got stuffed on

the ships and they arrived in New

England and things got better with each

passing year for the most part these

colonists all shared a common purpose

which was preached to them by their

governor John Winthrop in a famous

allusion to the Gospel of Matthew

Winthrop preached to the colonists we

shall be as a city upon a hill which is

to say a society under the lordship of

Christ which will act as a beacon to all

other societies now that worked for a

while but afterwards not so much but

we'll save that for another lecture all

this to say the New England colonies

began to thrive primarily because they

emigrated as families established family

based farms and enjoyed a diversified

economy that relied not only on

agriculture but other forms of Commerce

as well and it's important to understand

the difference between the Chesapeake

colonies and the New England colonies

those who came to the Chesapeake

colonies were just trying to make a buck

those who came to the New England

colonies were trying to make a home now

making their home of course meant

encroaching on lands that did not belong

to them so let's talk about the Indians

for a minute now as more and more of

these settlers arrived as they began to

push further and further into the

interior of the continent they began to

have some explosive conflicts with the

Indians

the Indians realized very quickly that

their only hope of a defense against

whitey was to unite their tribes in a

common defense and they accomplished

this under the leadership of an Indian

leader named Metacom whom the English

called King Phillip because it sounds

basically exactly like Medicom you know

tomato tomahto so with the tribes united

Metacom led his alliance to attack the

new england settlers and all that said

and done he attacks 52 Puritan towns and

of those destroyed twelve entirely

needless to say the colonists did not

like this and so they retaliated with

great force and won what became known as

King Phillip's war but don't worry the

English treated their enemy with dignity

and respect by which I mean they sold

meta Khan's entire family wife and

children into slavery then beheaded him

then tore his body limb from limb then

stuck his head on a pike

and mounted it in Plymouth you know like

Jesus would have done anyway the

colonists had a lot of skirmishes with

the Indians but let's go back to the

Massachusetts Bay Colony it's important

for you to know that the Massachusetts

Bay Colony established many precedents

among the most important of those

precedents was that every free man was

given a say in government affairs

provided that he was a member of a

Puritan congregation now this was very

progressive for the time but we

shouldn't confuse it with democracy in

fact the Puritans believed that most

people were just idiots and incapable of

governing themselves so it was more of a

representative government in which the

freemen elected governors and officials

to rule over them the Massachusetts Bay

Colony eventually became known as the

Bible Commonwealth because it had a

reputation for fidelity to the

scriptures which I can imagine old John

Winthrop responding now the Puritans get

a bad rap today I mean we use the word

puritanical to describe an unusually

rigid and stark religio fight and while

some of that bad rap is deserved I will

hasten to add that the Puritans

especially their preachers knew the

human heart and appealed to it in a way

that was categorically apart from much

of church history yes it's true that

they cut their congregations deep with

the doctrines of sin and hell but they

also took utmost care to bind those

wounds back up with the powerful remedy

of the grace love and forgiveness of

Christ but on a more earthly note we

shouldn't picture these folks as passing

their days with sour expressions on

their face and clothing camel-hair the

Puritan sang songs from their guts they

were bright clothing they drank

prodigious amounts of rum and they lived

in the joy of their Lord and I want to

leave you with this picture because

things are about to get a little darker

in their colony but for now let's raise

a glass to the Puritans and I will see

you next time