The Puritans and the New Canaan

This section delves into the history and beliefs of the Puritans in America during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Puritans played a significant role in early American history and the formation of colonial society.

Key points about the Puritans include:

• They sought to cleanse the Church of England from Roman Catholic influences.
• Their goal was to abolish traditional mass, ornaments, decorations, and ceremonies.
• From 1620 to 1640, they emigrated to New England, founding Plymouth Colony (1620) and Massachusetts Bay (1630).
• They believed America was the promised land and the new Canaan.
• Puritans were highly religious and created small towns with town meetings and elections.
• Church and state were inseparable in Puritan society.
• They followed English traditions and placed great importance on education.

Vocabulary: Puritanism refers to the religious and social movement that sought to purify the Church of England in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Example: The Pilgrim Fathers, who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, were the first Puritans to settle in America.

Highlight: The Puritans wrote the Mayflower Compact, an early example of self-governance in the New World.

The Declaration of Independence

This section focuses on the Declaration of Independence, a pivotal document in American history.

Key points about the Declaration of Independence:

• It was adopted on July 4, 1776.
• The document announced and explained the separation of the 13 colonies from England.
• It was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

Quote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Highlight: This quote encapsulates the core principles of the American Revolution and the foundation of American democracy.

The document also mentions America's Founding Fathers, known as "The Big Six":

1. George Washington
2. John Adams
3. Thomas Jefferson
4. James Madison
5. Alexander Hamilton
6. Benjamin Franklin

Definition: The Founding Fathers were the political leaders who signed the Declaration of Independence, participated in the American Revolution, and established the United States Constitution.