PuritanismPuritanism

A religious/ social movement A religious/ social movement of 1500’s & 1600’sof 1500’s & 1600’s

OriginsOrigins

• Began in England, then spread to Began in England, then spread to AmericaAmerica

• Greatly influenced social, political, Greatly influenced social, political, and religious institutionsand religious institutions

BeliefsBeliefs

Developed from the teachings Developed from the teachings of:of:

John Wycliffe & John CalvinJohn Wycliffe & John Calvin

• Wycliffe was a professor of Wycliffe was a professor of philosophy at Oxford University philosophy at Oxford University during 1300’sduring 1300’s

• Calvin was a leader during the Calvin was a leader during the Protestant Reformation- led to Protestant Reformation- led to ProtestantismProtestantism

Beliefs continuedBeliefs continued

• Considered Bible as the true law of God Considered Bible as the true law of God that provided guidelines for church that provided guidelines for church governmentgovernment

• Church should be organized under councilsChurch should be organized under councils

• Some believed each church should have Some believed each church should have total control over own affairstotal control over own affairs

• Church of England didn’t meet these idealsChurch of England didn’t meet these ideals

Beliefs cont’dBeliefs cont’d

• Emphasis on Bible reading, prayer, and Emphasis on Bible reading, prayer, and preaching during worship servicespreaching during worship services

• Simplified the sacramentsSimplified the sacraments

• Focus on more personal prayer rather Focus on more personal prayer rather than prescribed prayer (ex. “Our Father”)than prescribed prayer (ex. “Our Father”)

• Stressed grace, devotion, prayer, and Stressed grace, devotion, prayer, and self-examination to achieve religious self-examination to achieve religious virtuevirtue

HistoryHistory

• Name came from group of Name came from group of Protestants who wanted to “purify” Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of Englandthe Church of England

• Through 1520’s & 1530’s many Through 1520’s & 1530’s many Christians demanded that church & Christians demanded that church & government be operated according government be operated according to the Bible. They believed the Bible to the Bible. They believed the Bible governed all human affairs governed all human affairs

History continuedHistory continued

• During 1600’s Puritans increasingly During 1600’s Puritans increasingly opposed political/religious policies of opposed political/religious policies of King James I & later King Charles IKing James I & later King Charles I

• Tensions build due to lack of Tensions build due to lack of cooperationcooperation

• Puritans gain strength in ParliamentPuritans gain strength in Parliament• 1642 Civil War breaks out between 1642 Civil War breaks out between

the Crown forces (Cavaliers) & the Crown forces (Cavaliers) & Puritans (Roundheads)Puritans (Roundheads)

History continuedHistory continued

• 1649 Oliver Cromwell wins series of 1649 Oliver Cromwell wins series of victories & rules England till his victories & rules England till his death in 1658death in 1658

• King returns to EnglandKing returns to England• During 1600’s some Puritans thought During 1600’s some Puritans thought

reform of C of E impossiblereform of C of E impossible• These members chose to try and These members chose to try and

settle in Americasettle in America

Puritans in AmericaPuritans in America

• Settled in Virginia, Massachusetts, Settled in Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode IslandConnecticut, and Rhode Island

• Strong beliefs in education led to the Strong beliefs in education led to the establishment of grammar schools, establishment of grammar schools, Harvard, and Yale (1Harvard, and Yale (1st st in America) in America)

• Organized government to their likingOrganized government to their liking

Puritan influences on British Puritan influences on British and American Governmentsand American Governments

• Limited or constitutional monarchy Limited or constitutional monarchy limits the power of the rulerlimits the power of the ruler

• Belief in government contracted by Belief in government contracted by the governed influenced the the governed influenced the development of American development of American Democratic principlesDemocratic principles