Transcript American Literature THE PURITANS BACKGROUND INFORMATION In the 1540s there was a push for purification of the church in England.  By the 1570s.

American Literature
THE PURITANS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In the 1540s there was a push for purification
of the church in England.
 By the 1570s two groups had emerged:
 1) those who had a rationalistic
understanding and said the church should
be broad and inclusive
 2) those who continued to push for
purification of the church
During the 1570s the conflict between the two
groups only grew worse.

BACKGROUND CONTINUED
Most
Puritans decided to stay and
continue to work towards reform in
the church while others left in the
1620s to set up their own colony
at Massachusetts Bay
LIFE IN AMERICA
 Most
Puritans settled in the New England
area.
 The number of Puritans grew from 17,800 in
1640 to 106,000 in 1700.
 Their common beliefs greatly strengthened
the community and helped to lessen the
hardships of pioneer life.
 Individuals with opposing views were asked
to leave the community or to be converted.
PURITAN BELIEFS

Their interpretation of scriptures was a harsh
one. They believed in several things:
 Original Sin
 Eternal Punishment
 Salvation Through Grace
 Being “Born Again”
 Predestination
JONATHAN EDWARDS
A
Puritan minister who preached the beliefs
of the Puritan people
 His sermons were elegant, logical and put
fear of eternal damnation into those who
listened.
 These sermons made Edwards very popular
and led to the conversion of many people.
 Edwards’ sermons and preaching helped
give way to the Great Awakening.
THE GREAT AWAKENING
 Once
in America many settlers were more
concerned with their survival than with their
religious beliefs.
 Distance between people made any religious
membership difficult.
 Edwards and others helped to spark the
Great Awakening.
 The Great Awakening brought a revival in
religious enthusiasm to the New World.
RESULTS OF THE GREAT
AWAKENING
 Unified
Americans in the North and
South
 Greater importance placed on
education
 Sense of responsibility for Indians and
Slaves
 Religion gave people reassurance and
direction and helped to relieve anxiety.