Differences Between Williams And Hutchinson
FRQ | 1600 | 1650 | 1699 | Theocracy | Williams and Hutchinson’s challenges to spiritual practices undermine public perception of Puritan Church | Increased influence of other colonies, especially Virginia, lead to a decline in commitment to the religious/political ideals | Salem Witch trial discredits the Puritan church, and much remaining credibility is lost | Economic Equality | ___________________ | Laws forbid the pricing of an item t more than 5% over its actual costs | Rise of free market economic influences from neighboring colonies lead to failure of economic control measures | Increased Education | ___________________ | Every Town of 50 households requires tutor, 100 requires grammar school (1647) | Establishment of Harvard
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provides Massachusetts with only college educated elite amongst native born colonists |
The New England Puritans that set out to create a model society in Massachusetts did so with many lofty goals. Puritan goals in theocracy and economic regulation failed with the end of the New England way, but their accomplishments in education outlasted this eventual decline. When John Winthrop set out to create his model society, key amongst his plan was a very strict theocracy.
The layout of his settlements, establishment of voting eligibility, and governmental buildings were tied to the Government. By clustering settlers in tightly, he ensured that they would have no excuse for not attending church, and that the settlers would be able to monitor all other settlers’ piousness. Voting rights were granted only to saints, who were men who lived scandal free lives, shared their conversion experience, and repented for their sins. The main governmental building, the town hall, also served as the church. The lines between church and state were almost non-existent. The rise of dissenters in the form of Williams and Hutchinson, which greatly threatened the Puritan church, also therefore threatened the government. By calling into question the divinity and correctness of the clergy, these dissenters cast doubt on the effectiveness of the government. By the mid 1600s, influences from other, less religious colonies, began to have a large effect on the Puritans. The steadfast devotion that had held them together was weakened as the successes of other, far less rigid, colonies became apparent. This tension came to a head in the 1690s with the Salem witch hunts. After the unchecked cycle of accusing, and mock trials finally came to an end, it was realized how wrong the church and government had been, the government lost most of its remaining credibility. This debacle, combined with the failure of their economic equality goals led to the failure of the “New England Way” style of
theocracy. Puritan attempts to ensure economic equality led to much tension, hobbled their economy, and were among the least successful of their aspirations. Puritan attempts to ensure economic equality stemmed from the desire for conformity in their religion. Winthrop viewed mercantilism as a threat, and launched several initiatives to keep it out of his model society. In 1635 he instituted a policy in which items could not be priced at more than 5% over their actual cost to the merchant. This absolutely crippled the ability of merchants to make profits comparable to those being made by other colonial merchants. After the trial and conviction of Keayne for selling nails at a markup of 25% and more, it became clear that the government was desperate to defend its policies. By the end of the 1600s, the free market economy that Winthrop tried to avoid began taking hold. The influence from other colonies became too great, just as public support for the Puritan way is faltering. The economic control measures fail with the failure of the New England way, putting an end to governmental regulation of New England’s economy. Of all of the Puritan aspirations, the one to succeed the most was their efforts in education. The Puritans placed a huge importance on literacy, and therefore they were the first in the colonies to make large efforts to provide public education. An act in 1647 mandated the provision of a tutor for towns of over 50 households, and a grammar school for all settlements of over 100 households. Harvard University is also founded, becoming the first in America. This focus on education continues, and by the latter portion of the century, Harvard graduates are providing the colony with the only college educated local upper class in the colonies. These successful measures continue after the failure of the New England way, with many prestigious universities being opened in New England following the Great Awakening. Puritan aspirations in theocracy and economic regulation ultimately failed. However, their work in education outlasted the New England way, and was by far the most successful of their many aspirations.
provides Massachusetts with only college educated elite amongst native born colonists |
The New England Puritans that set out to create a model society in Massachusetts did so with many lofty goals. Puritan goals in theocracy and economic regulation failed with the end of the New England way, but their accomplishments in education outlasted this eventual decline. When John Winthrop set out to create his model society, key amongst his plan was a very strict theocracy.
The layout of his settlements, establishment of voting eligibility, and governmental buildings were tied to the Government. By clustering settlers in tightly, he ensured that they would have no excuse for not attending church, and that the settlers would be able to monitor all other settlers’ piousness. Voting rights were granted only to saints, who were men who lived scandal free lives, shared their conversion experience, and repented for their sins. The main governmental building, the town hall, also served as the church. The lines between church and state were almost non-existent. The rise of dissenters in the form of Williams and Hutchinson, which greatly threatened the Puritan church, also therefore threatened the government. By calling into question the divinity and correctness of the clergy, these dissenters cast doubt on the effectiveness of the government. By the mid 1600s, influences from other, less religious colonies, began to have a large effect on the Puritans. The steadfast devotion that had held them together was weakened as the successes of other, far less rigid, colonies became apparent. This tension came to a head in the 1690s with the Salem witch hunts. After the unchecked cycle of accusing, and mock trials finally came to an end, it was realized how wrong the church and government had been, the government lost most of its remaining credibility. This debacle, combined with the failure of their economic equality goals led to the failure of the “New England Way” style of
theocracy. Puritan attempts to ensure economic equality led to much tension, hobbled their economy, and were among the least successful of their aspirations. Puritan attempts to ensure economic equality stemmed from the desire for conformity in their religion. Winthrop viewed mercantilism as a threat, and launched several initiatives to keep it out of his model society. In 1635 he instituted a policy in which items could not be priced at more than 5% over their actual cost to the merchant. This absolutely crippled the ability of merchants to make profits comparable to those being made by other colonial merchants. After the trial and conviction of Keayne for selling nails at a markup of 25% and more, it became clear that the government was desperate to defend its policies. By the end of the 1600s, the free market economy that Winthrop tried to avoid began taking hold. The influence from other colonies became too great, just as public support for the Puritan way is faltering. The economic control measures fail with the failure of the New England way, putting an end to governmental regulation of New England’s economy. Of all of the Puritan aspirations, the one to succeed the most was their efforts in education. The Puritans placed a huge importance on literacy, and therefore they were the first in the colonies to make large efforts to provide public education. An act in 1647 mandated the provision of a tutor for towns of over 50 households, and a grammar school for all settlements of over 100 households. Harvard University is also founded, becoming the first in America. This focus on education continues, and by the latter portion of the century, Harvard graduates are providing the colony with the only college educated local upper class in the colonies. These successful measures continue after the failure of the New England way, with many prestigious universities being opened in New England following the Great Awakening. Puritan aspirations in theocracy and economic regulation ultimately failed. However, their work in education outlasted the New England way, and was by far the most successful of their many aspirations.