The English Colonization Plymouth and New England Settlements

Summary

This lecture explores the founding and development of the Northern Colonies in the 17th century, focusing on the Pilgrims and Puritans. It highlights the religious roots of the Puritans, their migration to America, and their efforts to create a godly community. The Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony in 1620, while the Puritans founded Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629. The relationship between settlers and Native Americans, internal dissent within Puritan society, and economic growth through industries like fishing and shipbuilding are discussed. The lecture concludes with the decline of Puritan influence and the challenges faced in their pursuit of a utopian society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The religious roots of the Puritans in New England trace back to the Protestant Reformation and their desire for a more genuine reformation of the Church of England.
• 😀 Puritans adhered to the doctrine of predestination, believing that God determined before birth whether an individual would receive salvation or damnation.
• 😀 Puritans rejected the Catholic Church hierarchy, promoting a direct relationship with God through personal Bible study and encouraging literacy among both men and women.
• 😀 The Pilgrims, a subset of Puritans, sought to separate from the Church of England due to its perceived corruption and eventually settled in Plymouth Colony in 1620.
• 😀 The Mayflower Compact was drafted by the Pilgrims to establish order and governance, and it included only those who had passed the test of conversion and church membership.
• 😀 The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe was initially cooperative, but it was complicated by the devastation of local Native populations due to disease.
• 😀 In 1629, the Massachusetts Bay Company was granted a charter, allowing Puritans to create a self-governing colony focused on reforming the Church of England.
• 😀 John Winthrop's famous sermon aboard the Arabella introduced the concept of America as a 'city upon a hill,' inspiring future settlers to view their colony as an example for the world.
• 😀 The Puritans who settled New England were mainly from the middle ranks of English society and sought to replicate their home environments by creating communities based on family, church, and local governance.
• 😀 Despite efforts to create a religious utopia, Puritans faced internal dissent, such as with Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, who challenged Puritan orthodoxy and were expelled from the colony.

Q & A

What was the main religious belief that drove the Puritans in their quest for reform?

The Puritans were driven by the belief in predestination, the idea that God determined who would receive salvation before birth. They also sought to 'purify' the Church of England from Catholic practices and believed in a direct relationship with God through the Bible.

How did the Puritans' belief in predestination influence their daily lives?

The Puritans believed that their actions and behavior reflected whether they were among the 'elect' chosen for salvation. This belief encouraged them to lead pious lives, constantly striving to live according to God's will, even though they could never be sure of their salvation.

What role did literacy play in Puritan society?

Puritans placed a high emphasis on literacy because they believed that individuals should read and study the Bible to understand God’s plan. Both men and women in Puritan communities were highly literate, as it was crucial for personal spiritual preparation and understanding of religious doctrine.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact for the Pilgrims at Plymouth?

The Mayflower Compact was a foundational document that provided a framework for governance in Plymouth Colony. It was signed by the male Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, establishing a 'Civil Body Politic' to create laws and govern themselves in the absence of their original charter.

How did the Pilgrims' relationship with Native Americans begin, and what role did Squanto play?

The Pilgrims initially sought to establish friendly relations with the local Native American tribes due to their need for help. Squanto, a Patuxet who had been kidnapped by the English and later returned, played a key role in facilitating the Pilgrims' alliance with the Wampanoag and taught them essential agricultural techniques.

What were the main challenges the Pilgrims faced upon arriving in Plymouth?

The Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in late fall, just before winter, without sufficient food or farm animals. They faced starvation, and more than half of the original settlers died during that first winter. However, they were rescued by the Wampanoag Indians, who helped them survive.

What was the significance of John Winthrop's 'City upon a Hill' sermon?

John Winthrop's 'City upon a Hill' sermon was a key moment in shaping the Puritan vision for their colony in New England. He described the colony as an example of godliness that would be watched by the world, framing it as a model for reformers in England and emphasizing the moral responsibility of the settlers.

How did the Puritans' vision for New England differ from that of the Pilgrims?

The Puritans, unlike the Pilgrims, sought to reform the Church of England from within rather than separate from it. They left for America to create a 'godly' community that would serve as an example for religious reform, whereas the Pilgrims were separatists who believed the Church of England was beyond redemption.

What was the role of women in Puritan society, and how did it differ from other colonies?

In Puritan society, women had significant roles in maintaining the religious and social order of the community. Puritanism promoted literacy for both men and women, allowing women to read the Bible and participate in religious life. However, they were still expected to adhere to strict gender roles within the family and church.

What was the Halfway Covenant, and why was it introduced in Massachusetts in 1662?

The Halfway Covenant was introduced to address the problem of declining church membership, especially among the children of visible saints who did not experience conversion. It allowed these individuals to become 'halfway' members, meaning they could baptize their children but not fully participate in communion or vote in church matters.