Puritans: American Beginnings

1. Puritans: American Beginnings The early history of America, as seen through Puritan eyes

2. Journal 1 • American Literature is a widely disputed nowadays, not just for their concepts, but for their origins. • What do you think the best answer for this question is? (ie: when did American Literature become American Literature and distinguish itself from British)

3. Henry VIII • Why start out with an English monarch? • He indirectly started American lit as we know it • Henry VIII was a very direct man; when he wanted something, he took it • It all started with the want to divorce…

4. Divorce? • Henry VIII is mostly known for all of his wives, particularly the one he divorced called Catherine • He wanted the divorce because she never bore him a male child • English Churches were aligned with Roman Catholicism which expressly forbids divorce

5. VIIIs Way • Henry VIII believed his word was law • Since England was so far away, Henry VIII got what he wanted • Loophole – create his own church! • Church of England established, separate from Catholicism

6. Church of England • Henry VIII was made the supreme head of the church • Even though the Archbishop of Canterbury did all the work • His Holiness (the pope) considered this church “unholy” and banned dealings

7. Freedom from Oppression? • Many considered the act by the King as noble and courageous • A way to free themselves from the “shackles” of the church • A lot of people also found this to be an act against God himself, however.

8. Puritans • When you think Puritans, think Pilgrims • Think about the meaning of the word • Pure-itan – purification, state of being pure, etc. • From the two differences in thought, the church of England and Catholicism were viewed as corruption (ie: not the way)

9. Pure = Simple • Church is simpler when separated from State • Puritans believed that government should have nothing to do with church • Many Puritans were persecuted, fled to Holland…found there as well. • There was really only one choice at this time

10. The New World • The New World implied safety, unused land, a new start, freedom from “ignorance,” … just freedom in general • Plymouth Rock 1620 • Early 1600s – Jamestown, Virgina – James I • Elizabeth City, NC – Elizabeth I

11. Not new after all? • Puritans, and settlers in general, alike claimed the new land in the name of God and their new and un-persecuted (not in fact a word) beliefs • What’s the problem with this picture? • Maybe it wasn’t a new world

12. Native Americans • Natives had a claim to NA for over 1,000 years • Via the passageway between Alaska and Russia at the influx between continents • Communities, families, whole civilazations (albeit rather simple) have already be established

13. Awkward? • You could say that first impressions make the rest of a relationship • First contacts between peoples = odd • No one understood one another in terms of language • Columbus in 1492 did not discover a new world…rather a gateway into another one

14. Muddled Relationships • What is one thing that people can agree on, most of the time? • They need more money! • Bartering systems were established between people • Manhattan? Bought for some beads

15. You scratch my back… • European textiles, firearms, basic crops (tobacco, cotton, etc.) • Native knack for survival, new food, navigation • Another thing that does not need language • TENSION

16. In the way of progress • Europeans, after learning from the Natives simply wanted to drive them further west • Settlers showed up for God, and getting more land from these “savages” was seen as a holy act • Natives were willing to share, for the most part, but sharing wasn’t the answer

17. Rocky Ways • One other thing to understand, is that the natives and settlers were worlds apart biologically too • Natives/settlers had no immunity to each other • Smallpox • Even the common cold was deadly

18. Small wars? • Settlers started forcibly kicking Natives off of “their” land • Many battles ensued with the barely armed natives losing more often than colonists • Where did Puritans fit in?

19. Religious Beliefs • Puritan faith – Life is uncertain after death • Adam and Eve betrayed humanity • Because of that, man is doomed to Hell • Some believed that God had mercy, but that they were at a severe disadvantage due to their “forefathers”

20. Covenant • Puritans believed in an unwritten spiritual covenant between them and God existed • To believe in God inwardly and outwardly would place you in a better standing after the world ended • God would intervene in your mind and soul and you would “experience” him

21. Ironic Twist of Fate? • Since this “covenant” existed • Puritans contained a sense of “Self reliance, temperance, industriousness, and simplicity…” in their ways in the colonies • Fancy that • Those traits are essential to survive in a new place

22. Ignorant Savages • Due to these beliefs, they believed the Natives were an ignorant society • Void of God’s love and grace – shown by lack of clothing, animalistic ways, and savage nature • Puritans would try to “help” • Natives, by this time, were already used to another kind of “help” – off of their land

23. An answer of sorts • Class Text: Mary Rowlandson • Example of an abduction in early colonized America • Natives would create many ways to get back at the Settlers, but they would always fail in the process

24. Inward Turmoil • Puritans also have themselves to deal with • Puritans believed that government had nothing to do with religion…however their new government had everything to do with it • Newly elected officials were based solely on their piousness in the community

25. High Standards • Another text: • Jonathan Edwards – “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” • Basically if you weren’t next to perfect (their skewed version), you were scrutinized by fellow settlers

26. Salem • Salem Witch Trials – 1692 – Salem, Massachusetts • Text: “The Crucible” – Arthur Miller • Mass Hysteria would erupt whenever someone was perceived as questioning God (just by skipping church, example)

27. Rationalism • By the end of the 17th century, new form of thinking would ripple through Puritans • Rationalism – Belief that humans can arrive at a truth by using reason, not by relying on authority of the past, religious faith, or their intuition • Common sense? Scientific sense? • Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo, etc.

28. Deism • Think God + Rationalism • Deism – The belief that God has made it possible for all people at all times to discover natural laws through their God-given powers of reason • The more you believe, the easier these natural “truths” would come by

29. New Religion? • Deists believe that humans were inherently good and that no matter what, they started at this belief • Puritans – “Do everything for God, go to church, etc.” • Deists – “Good deeds = Good standing with God” • High moral standards

30. New Ideas • These two new beliefs allowed a new sense of social awareness and independence to arise in the settlers • Deism and Rationalism also allowed the new settlers the idea that freedom can also be sought from…England • DUN DUN DUN

31. Back to Basics • Many scholars argue when American Literature actually begins • Should it begin when settlers came over to the US and started writing? • Or should it start with the constitution? • Some even say American isn’t American, because it came from England.

32. Anne Bradstreet • B: Northampton, England – 1612 • Married: Simon Bradstreet – 1628 • Immigrated: Salem, Mass. 1630 • Moved: 6 times between 1630 and 1642 • Salem – Ipswich – North Andover • Children: 8, between 1632 and 1642 • Published – 1650 (first American to publish own creative work) • D: 9/16/1682 – North Andover

33. A Gentlewoman from these parts… • Grew up in high social standing • A Reverend heading to London (John Woolbridge) had her first poem collection published under the above name ^ • “The Tenth Muse, Lately Sprung up in America” • One of her houses burned up during her husband’s moving • “Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666”