AP U.

S History//Chapter 3: Settling the Northern Colonies (1500 - 1733)

God hath sifted a nation that he might send Choice Grain into this Wilderness William
Stoughton [of Massachusetts Bay], 1699
The Protestant Reformation Produces Puritanism
1517: Martin Luther
o Nailed his protests against Catholic doctrines
This shaped the destiny of an unknown nation
Declared that the Bible was the only source of Gods words
o His protests and ideas started the Protestant Reformation
John Calvin of Geneva:
o The Protestant Reformation was strong in his heart
o He elaborated on Martin Luthers ideas
o Calvinism:
Dominant theological credo of the New England Puritans based on the
teachings of John Calvin. Calvinists believed in predestinationthat only
the elect were destined for salvation
o Predestination:
Calvinist doctrine that God has foreordained some people to be saved and
some to be damned. Though their fate was irreversible, Calvinists,
particularly those who believed they were destined for salvation sought to
lead sanctified loves to demonstrate to other that they were in face
members of the elect
The Elect people who were chosen by God to be lead towards
salvation after their deaths
o Conversion:
Intense religious experience that confirmed an individuals place among
the elect or the visible saints, Calvinists who experienced conversion
were then expected to lead sanctified lives to demonstrate their salvation
Visible Saints Calvinists that experienced conversion and must
demonstrate holy behavior by leading sanctified lives
o King Henry VIII broke his ties with the Roman Catholic Church and became head
of the Church of England (Anglican Church)
o Puritans:
English Protestant reformers who sought to purify the Church of England
of Catholic rituals and creeds. Some of the most devout Puritans believed
that only visible saints should be admitted to church membership.
The Pilgrims End Their Pilgrimage at Plymouth
Separatists/Pilgrims:
o Group of Puritans who sought to break away entirely form the Church of England
o Departed England for Holland in 1608
o They left Holland for the New World in 1620 because they didnt want their
children to act like the Dutch (Dutchification)
o The Pilgrims started their journey on the Mayflower with around 102 people and
just 1 of them died at sea
o All Pilgrims had to sign the Mayflower Compact
Agreement to form a majoritarian government in Plymouth, signed aboard
the Mayflower. Created a foundation for self-government in the colony.
o The Winter of 1620-1621:
Only 44 Survived of the 102
o When the Mayflower set sail for England in the spring not one Separatist left
o Autumn of 1621:
Had a good harvest and they celebrated the first Thanksgiving
o Colony economically expanded becoming a part of the fur, fish, lumber industries
o William Bradford:
A famous leader of the Plymouth Bay Colony
Governor 30 times through severe winters and the growth of the colony
o Colony eventually joined the Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Bay Colony Bible Commonwealth
The Massachusetts Bay Colony:
o Established by non-separating Puritans, it soon grew to be the largest and most-
influential of the New England colonies
o Almost 1,000 colonists landed in Massachusetts which started a settlement larger
than any other
o Great English Migration migration of 70,000 thousand refugees from England
to the North American colonies, primarily New England and the Caribbean. The
20,000 migrants who came to Massachusetts largely shared a common sense of
purposeto establish a model Christian settlement in the New World
o The Colony was led by John Winthrop
Was a successful lawyer in England before shifting to the colonies
Was the 1st Governor of Massachusetts and was for 19 more years
He believed God told him to lead the spiritual trial
He aided in constructing the businesses Massachusetts was known for,
which was fishing and shipbuilding
o We shall be as a city upon a hill was a quote the Puritans obeyed because they
believed they had a covenant with God to shape a society that would be a role-
model for the rest of the world
Building the Bay Colony
Soon afterward the colonists entrance the franchise was extended to freemenadult
males who were associated with the Puritans via the Congregational Church
Religious leaders had a lot of influence in the Bible Commonwealth of Massachusetts
o Influenced admission into the Church by conducting community questionings of
people claiming to have experienced conversion
John Cotton:
o A famous Puritan involved in the clergy
o He was educated at Cambridge and left England to escape persecution
o In Mass, learned how to defend the governments role in imposing religious laws
The Puritans believed in the doctrine of a calling to do the work for God on earth, as
well as the Protestant Work Ethic, which was a commitment to work in worldly
pursuits
o Colonists still liked many social and fun activities- eating a lot, drinking, singing,
and making love
o Sumptuary Laws- law made to restrict luxuries/pleasures
For the Puritans, Hell was factual, and not taken casually