• Protestant religious group that wanted to purify the Church of
England and create simpler, more democratic way to worship
• Rejected ceremony and adornments not mentioned in the
Bible

• Left England to avoid religious persecution
• Create a new, pure society in
North America

*Human beings are sinful by nature
*Salvation belongs to the elect, or God’s chosen, who can be identified by virtue
*Temperance
*Hard work and worldly success are signs of
God’s grace
*Education is essential in order to read the
Word of God

• Most common forms of Puritan writing were diaries and histories
• The key element found in Puritan writing was how they looked for signs of
God’s working in everyday life
• Wrote in “Plain Style”
(strong, simple, logical which made the Bible accessible to all)

• Puritans lived very pious lives because they strove for salvation
• Pious and virtuous on the outside; pious and virtuous on the inside
• Your inner soul was demonstrated by your outward behavior
• People examined their inner lives closely for signs of grace; they lived as well as possible hoping to please God

• Often called the first
U.S. Constitution
• An agreement to work together for the good of the entire group
• Outlined how the
Puritans would be governed once they landed in what would be America

• Many historians feel that the Puritan ethic of thrift, hard work, and self-sufficiency contributed to the success of capitalism in the New World.
Because the Puritans believed wealth was a sign of God’s favor, they strove to attain it.