By: Solomon Johnson and Sean Dolan
Political Impact
During the colonization years
religion had an extreme impact on the political standing of the colony. Most
governments of colonies in the north were based out of the church. The
Mayflower Compact was the first official constitution for the pilgrims, giving
them the right to set up a government as the pleased where ever they may land
in the new world.
The political systems put into place
in these churches set a solid example for future government systems in the
United States. The use of town halls in church was essentially the first form
of democracy brought to the new world.
Economic Impact
There’s not much to say on this
case, other than the fact many explores set out to the new world in search of
god, gold and glory. Most times the first two were connected. Many explorers, especially
the Spanish and at time the English, would set out to ‘spread’ Christianity to
the Native Americans. In terms of the Spanish policy the Native Americans would
‘pay back the favor’ by working on sugar plantations established by the Spanish
in the Caribbean. The English would also spread their religion to Native
Americans, but their main hope was to establish good trading when first colonizing
to adjust to the land.
Social Impact
At this time the way of the church
was the only way, or this was the main idea in the northern colonies. Many of
the Pilgrims and Puritans had strict policies concerning public actives and
affairs. The social hierarchy at the time was also strongly based on the
position of power a person held within the church.
Religious Colonization
Before the
specifics are examined, it is important to understand the background of
colonial religion. The British colonies were heavily influenced by
Christianity, and strict codes were harshly enforced in, not only the colonies,
but throughout the whole of England as well as Europe. The majority of the
colonies created in North America had an “established” church (the type of
church reflected the type of people that had settled in that area). Through
this church, colonials were expected to live their lives life. Everything that
was done day to day was centered on their specific church, and any dissenters
or protesters were out casted, and often times persecuted.
Each area of colonial North America
had its own sect of religion. These groups were centered down the east coast of
the continent, and largely consisted of religious defectors, outcasts, as well
as general do good-ers (they came to spread their beliefs). In New England, the
main groups were the Puritans and the Pilgrims. In the Middle and Southern
Colonies, there were the Quakers, Catholics, and the Lutherans (some Jews took
up residence, but they were often persecuted against).
A
lot of people came to America for religious freedom. They were trying to escape
religious persecution they faced in their old countries. The colonists wanted
to worship freely and even chose the religion they wanted to become members of.
America
soon became known for its religious diversity and became a dominant part of
American life. The population of America increased quickly as a result of the
religious diversity. It became a dominant part of Colonial America. The Salem
Witchcraft Trials of the 1690s and Great Awakening of the 1730s only increased
the influence of religion in America.
New England
Puritans
-The purpose
of the Puritans was to establish a religion in the new world with no Catholic
ties. They accounted for the majority of the religious practice in New England
(except in Rhode Island) and established themselves in the Massachusetts Bay
area. They were much larger than their counterparts, the Pilgrims, who
established themselves at Plymouth Rock.
-Puritans
led generally strict lives. The church and the Bible dominated their day to day
doings, and anything that deviated from this was frowned upon. So much so, that
individuals were often persecuted for dissent or disobedience. Any other
religious practitioners (Catholics, Quakers) were persecuted as well.
-Roger
Williams: Outspoken critic of the Puritans. He would often voice his concerns
and opinions at Puritan sermons. He was exiled and eventually ended up in Rhode
Island.
-Ann
Hutchinson: Like Williams (see above), Hutchinson was a critic of Puritanism.
Her views got her exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and eventually
killed when she attempted to make a trip to Rhode Island.
-John
Winthrop: Major figure in establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and he
presided as governor for 12 of the 20 years of the colony’s existence.
Pilgrims
-The
Pilgrims consisted of separatists who had defected from the Church of England
(Puritan like) and wanted to establish a completely new “separate” church. This
colonial establishment became the center for religious tolerance in colonial
America.
-The
Pilgrims landed and established themselves at Plymouth Rock. Many of the
original settlers did not survive the first year in the new world, due to
starvation and disease, which ultimately lead to their untimely demise.
-John
Carver: First official governor of the Pilgrim Colony.
-William
Bradford: Filled the governors’ position following Carver’s death. Bradford
held the position for 30 years.
Middle and
Southern Colonies
Quakers
-Definitely
one of the better known religious groups, the Quakers set up shop in
Pennsylvania. The Quaker society was dubbed a “holy experiment” by its founder
William Penn. Through this experiment, Penn hoped to accomplish three main
objectives: Tolerance, Democracy, and Profit. The tolerance was exemplified by
the diversity of the colony. The Quakers also were the first religious group to
condemn the practices of slavery. Democracy was exemplified through a lack of
voting requirements. You did not have to have a certain amount of property or
have a specific religious affinity to vote. Profit was made through
inter-colonial trade, rather than a church directed tax.
-William
Penn: The founder of the Quakers. Most known for his “holy experiment” tag.
Catholics
and Jews
-These two
religions were the most persecuted in the new world. The majority of the
religious factions of the new world despised Catholics, but Jews were
persecuted as well (though the ratio is heavily weighted towards Catholics).
-The
majority of Catholics were found in Maryland. Lord Baltimore founded Maryland
with the purpose of creating a safe haven in the new world for Catholics. He
was able to reinforce this effort through the passing of the Maryland Religious
Tolerance Act in 1649, which said that whoever believed in god would be allowed
into Maryland.
Important People
Jonathan
Edwards-
Christian
preacher and theologian. Edwards “is widely acknowledged to be America’s most
important and original philosophical theologian” and one of America’s greatest
intellectuals. The Enlightenment was to his mindset, Edwards played a ccritical
role in shaping the First Great Awakening and oversaw some of the first
revivals in 1722-35 in Massachusetts.
Anne
Hutchinson-
Puritan spiritual adviser, mother of 15, and important
participant in the Antinomian Controversy that shook the infant Massachusetts
Bay Colony from 1636 to 1638. Her strong religious convictions were at odds
with the established Puritan clergy in Boston and here charisma created a
schism in the Puritan belief. She was
tried and convicted for treason against the church and banished to Rhode Island
William
Penn-
Founder of Pennsylvania he was a champion of democracy
and religious freedom, notable for his relations and successful treaties. In
Pennsylvania was used as a state for Quakers.
John
Wesley-
Founding the Methodist movement which began when he
took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield. Methodism
in both forms became a highly successful evangelical movement in Britain, which
encouraged people to experience Jesus Christ personally.
John
Winthrop-
Was an English Puritan lawyer who also was a leading
figure in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the first major
settlement in New England.
William Bradford-
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