Puritans: Not So Pure

1. Puritans: Not So Pure BY: Ian Strain and Matt McLaughlin

2. The Church of England • The Church of England was created when Henry VIII split off from the Pope because the Pope would not let him annul his marriage with Catherine of Aragon.

3. Who were Puritans? Governor John Winthrop • Puritans were a sect of Protestantism, but a little more strict. • They believe that all evils acts were that of the devil. (The Black Man) • Strong sense of community. (Pinwheel city “layout”) • They lived by the New Testament, any breach of its word was strictly dealt with, as we see in the story (Page 49).

4. More History on Puritans • For an in depth look at Puritans watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy1IOIlpKaw • Theybelieved in pre-destination. • Pre-destination is the belief that no matter how one lives their life, their fate after death is pre-determined once they are born. • There is no way to change this but the colonists tried to live their lives to the fullest extent • Church and State were one, a church infraction also led to social discipline.

5. To the New World • The Puritans migrated to the New World in the 17th Century. • Most, in search of Religious freedom and fear of persecution, fled to the New World where they created the Massachusetts Colony which eventually absorbed the original Plymouth Colony. • When they came, they brought their entire family for the purpose of establishing a new home for themselves, and the church.

6. Historical Allusion? • Anne Hutchinson was a Puritan woman who claimed to have a revelation from God. • John Winthropcalled her before authorities and she was banished from the colony on a count of Blasphemy. • After being banished from the Massachusetts Colony, she followed Roger Williams to his religiously tolerant Rhode Island Colony. • Her struggles and her life could be related to that of Hester Prynne’s who also suffered punishment from the church for violating its laws. Anne Hutchinson: Martyr?

7. Preach It • To hear a real preacher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aKFWvOot9k • This dude is nuts. • As Dimmesdale illustrated in the novel, his sermons were an art form, his inner struggles led him to preach against the devil. • The whole town celebrates his sermon for it seems he was possessed in some way. • His words against the devil on the Election day were wise. • Today some preachers draw tens of thousands of listeners at their sermons.

8. Witch Trials • The Puritan name is somewhat infamous due to the trials of 1692. • 19 Men and women were hanged for witchcraft. • Hundreds of others sat in jails with no trials and no proof of showing witchcraft. • Hysteria swept the colonies in what was a time of confusion and fear.

9. Puritan Fact Sheet • In Puritan times, to be born on a Sunday was interpreted as a sign of great sin. • Laws in Boston were that any town of 50 or more must have a tax-run school to teach the children how to read the Bible. • Names of women found in census reports of Massachusetts Bay include Patience, Silence, Fear, Prudence, Comfort, Hopestill, and Be Fruitful. • Church attendance was mandatory. Those that missed church regularly were subject to a fine. • The church was sometimes patrolled by a man who held a long pole. On one end was a collection of feathers to tickle the chins of old men who fell asleep. On the other was a hard wooden knob to alert children who giggled or slept.

10. Bibliography • http://www.ushistory.org/us/3d.asp • http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhutchinsonA.htm • http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/puritans.html • Google Images