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Coming to America

Coming to America. Background information for understanding of American Literature. In a nutshell. The Pilgrims and Puritans came to America to practice religious freedom. What happened?. England creates its own new church – The Church of England People were forced to belong

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Coming to America

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  1. Coming to America Background information for understanding of American Literature

  2. In a nutshell • The Pilgrims and Puritans came to America to practice religious freedom.

  3. What happened? • England creates its own new church – The Church of England • People were forced to belong • Separatists emerged under William Bradford • Separatists wanted to start a settlement in order to practice religion freely • Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower in 1620

  4. The Journey • Pilgrims had a difficult journey • A storm blew them to Cape Cod (Plymouth) • No government • Men decided to write a plan of government for the colony (Mayflower Compact)

  5. Hard Times • Pilgrims fell on difficult times • November = winter. • Tough to find food, shelter • Half the colonists died • In the Spring, the colonists thrived and were taught to plant crops by Native Americans • By the next fall – all was well. Colony was thriving (Thanksgiving celebration)

  6. The Puritans • In 1630, the Puritans were also seeking religious freedom. • Wanted to leave the Church of England • Seeking purity by getting rid of Catholic practices • Seeking reform • King Charles I threatened the Puritans with punishment if they didn’t obey the Church of England • Puritans left, seeking religious freedom in America

  7. Puritanism • Puritan: a term referring to a number of Protestant groups that (beginning around 1560) sought to “purify” the Church of England (and separate it from the country’s government) • Between 1629 and 1640 – 80,000 Puritans fled

  8. They came to America • About a thousand Puritans settled, establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony • Wanted to base the colony on the laws of God • Believed God would protect them if they obeyed his laws

  9. Basic Desires • Wanted simpler forms of worship and church organization • Religion seen as a personal experience • Did not believe the clergy (religious officials) or government should act as a mediator between a person and God

  10. Problems • Introduction of new diseases (both as carriers and as receivers) • Lack of preparation for harsh winters • Cultural differences and conflicts • Strange and dangerous animals • Different climate, landscape, and food sources

  11. Basic Puritan Beliefs • Total Depravity - through Adam & Eve’s fall, every human is born sinful • What is Original Sin?

  12. Basic Puritan Beliefs • Unconditional Election - God “saves” those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation • Is our fate predestined? • What’s the point?

  13. Basic Puritan Beliefs • Limited Atonement - Jesus died for the chosen only, not for everyone. (Wait, What?) • Irresistible Grace – God’s “grace” is freely given, it cannot be earned or denied. Grace is defined as the saving and transfiguring power of God.

  14. Basic Puritan Beliefs • Perseverance of the “saints”- those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God, and to live uprightly. If anyone rejects grace after feeling its power in his life, he will be going against the will of God - something impossible in Puritanism.

  15. The Bible • The Bible was considered the literal word of God • Reading the Bible was necessary for all Puritans • Education: Because the Puritans wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible and understand theological debates, education was very important. • Harvard College: Established in 1636, sixteen years after landing, Harvard was originally intended to train Puritan ministers

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