Colonial History Study Guide
I. Answer the following questions as completely as possible. Use The American Pageant chapters 2, 3 and 4 and any other source you’d like. List all sources after each answer.
1. Who were the Puritans? Why did they come to America to settle?
The puritans were a group of religious reformers wanted to purify the Church of England they were unpopular and oppressed therefore they got a charter and left England the king was very happy to sign the charter and get them out of their land. They came seeking religious freedom, to practice own religion, don’t allow religious freedom. They had a very strict system of beliefs that wasn’t liked back in England.
• Source: Class notes and knowledge
2. What were the core beliefs of the Puritans? How did this manifest itself in early New England politics?
The core beliefs of the Puritans were very strict compared to other religions. They believed most in that education is very important in living a great life. They also believed in Predestination which was that god knows everything or your destiny is predetermined. They believed in working very hard which became known as the Puritan work ethic which states If you work very hard you tend to be more successful which allows a blessing from god which is salvation. These beliefs were so strong that this why the North never adopted slavery because the Puritans thought it was laziness. The Puritans tried created a political structure focused on building a society rooted in community and family. Church and state were closely aligned; the law said that states enforce religious devotion, and all towns were required to establish a church and support a minister by levying taxes. The Puritan religion had a large influence on the Political style and structure of the New England colonies.
• Source: Class notes and http://www.shmoop.com/new-england-puritans-pilgrims/politics.html
3. Describe the New England colonies- economics, social structure and political system.
The New
1. Who were the Puritans? Why did they come to America to settle?
The puritans were a group of religious reformers wanted to purify the Church of England they were unpopular and oppressed therefore they got a charter and left England the king was very happy to sign the charter and get them out of their land. They came seeking religious freedom, to practice own religion, don’t allow religious freedom. They had a very strict system of beliefs that wasn’t liked back in England.
• Source: Class notes and knowledge
2. What were the core beliefs of the Puritans? How did this manifest itself in early New England politics?
The core beliefs of the Puritans were very strict compared to other religions. They believed most in that education is very important in living a great life. They also believed in Predestination which was that god knows everything or your destiny is predetermined. They believed in working very hard which became known as the Puritan work ethic which states If you work very hard you tend to be more successful which allows a blessing from god which is salvation. These beliefs were so strong that this why the North never adopted slavery because the Puritans thought it was laziness. The Puritans tried created a political structure focused on building a society rooted in community and family. Church and state were closely aligned; the law said that states enforce religious devotion, and all towns were required to establish a church and support a minister by levying taxes. The Puritan religion had a large influence on the Political style and structure of the New England colonies.
• Source: Class notes and http://www.shmoop.com/new-england-puritans-pilgrims/politics.html
3. Describe the New England colonies- economics, social structure and political system.
The New