Puritan Beliefs
What was the Puritan belief in predestination?
The idea that God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be damned
Who wrote Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?
Jonathan Edwards
What was the main reason Puritans left England?
To escape religious persecution and establish a society based on their beliefs.
Who was John Winthrop?
The first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the author of the "City upon a Hill" speech
What modern holiday has Puritan roots?
Thanksgiving
What did Puritans think about material wealth and success?
They saw wealth as a possible sign of God's favor but warned against greed and vanity
What was the main purpose of Puritan literature?
To glorify God and teach moral lessons
What colony did the Puritans establish in 1630?
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Who was Anne Hutchinson, and why was she banished?
A woman who challenged Puritan teachings and was exiled for her religious beliefs
How did Puritan work ethic influence American culture?
It promoted hard work, discipline, and success as signs of moral virtue
What was the "City upon a Hill" idea?
The belief that the Puritan community should serve as a moral example to the world
What is Anne Bradstreet known for?
She was the first published American poet, often writing about faith and family
What happened during the Salem Witch Trials?
In 1692, mass hysteria led to the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft
What did Roger Williams believe that got him expelled from Massachusetts?
He supported religious freedom and separation of church and state, founding Rhode Island
What is one way Puritan values shaped American democracy?
Their town meetings and self-governing principles influenced later democratic ideals
How did Puritans view individualism?
They valued community over individual desires, believing that personal actions affected the whole group.
How did Puritans use the concept of typology in their writing?
They saw Biblical events as foreshadowing their own experiences and struggles.
How did Puritans interact with Native Americans?
They often saw them as heathens to be converted but also engaged in violent conflicts, such as King Philip's War
Who was Cotton Mather, and what was his role in Puritan society?
A minister and writer who played a role in the Salem Witch Trials and promoted smallpox inoculation
How did Puritan religious intolerance impact the development of other colonies?
Dissenters like Roger Williams and Thomas Hooker founded Rhode Island and Connecticut for religious freedom
What was the role of the church in Puritan government?
The Puritans established a theocracy, where religious leaders had strong influence over laws and governance
What was the style of Puritan writing called, and how did it reflect their beliefs?
Plain Style; it was simple, direct, and avoided excessive ornamentation to focus on God’s truth
What was the Half-Way Covenant?
A compromise allowing the children of partial church members to be baptized and have some church rights
How did Jonathan Edwards influence the Great Awakening?
His fiery sermons emphasized personal religious experience and repentance, sparking revivalism
What is one lasting literary influence of Puritan writers?
Their focus on spiritual struggle and moral clarity can be seen in American literature, from Nathaniel Hawthorne to modern religious writing.