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":
- George Washington
- John Adams
- Thomas Jefferson
- James Madison
- Alexander Hamilton
- 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.
