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To what extent do the roots of American Exceptionalism lie in Puritan New England?. New England. Plymouth 1620 Mass Bay 1630 Expansion to CT, RI, NH, 1630s. Religion in Puritan Life. John Winthrop’s “A Model of
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To what extent do the roots of American Exceptionalism lie in Puritan New England?
New England • Plymouth 1620 • Mass Bay 1630 • Expansion to CT, RI, NH, 1630s
Religion in Puritan Life • John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” - City Upon a Hill • Covenant Theology → Covent of Grace - agreement w/ God to create a model society → Social Covenant - agreement with one another to live responsibly and abide by self-gvt
20th c. journalist H.L. Mencken defined Puritanism as “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere might be happy.”
BASED ON TEACHINGS OF JOHN CALVIN (CALVINISM) • rejection of church hierarchy - personal interpretation • belief in predestination • good works proof of having been chosen
The Puritan Work Ethic • industriousness, hard work, and thrift are part of a virtuous life • idleness a sin
Stringent Social Codes • Good works a sign of being chosen → transferred to community - ie. terrible events were a sign of God’s wrath • Importance to uphold the social covenant