Differences Between Pilgrims And Puritans

In search of religious freedom a group of devout Christians sailed across the ocean only to come across a new land, radically different from the one they left behind. From the initial journey, to the formation of the colonies, and finally their complicated relationship with “non-believers” Puritans strongly held religious convictions has played a key role in all of this.

Coming from the same domicile. Living amongst each other trying to decide how can they remain neighbors and still live comfortable. Unfortunately the Pilgrims and Puritans couldn’t come up with the solution to the problem. Having to deal with the same oppression together by King James and his followers should have brought them closer but instead the pilgrims and puritans had their old engender. Both wanted to seek freedom. The different in between the two was the way they thought of Christianity. They both had strong beliefs in the way a Christian should live and act. Puritans set out to make the Religion stricter and more purity than before. While the Pilgrims thought it was too strict and wanted to let loose of some of things they felt was not necessary as a Christian. So they both sought out of England in search of a new Life and new beginning.

In July of 1620 a ship carrying hundreds of puritan pilgrims set sail from England to where these fugitives believed was their Promised Land, The Americas; Another voyage similarly left Africa in approximately 1756 heading to the lands of America but for a very different purpose. Although, this ship was carrying likewise hundreds of people, or what was considered property at the time, overseas it brought these peoples to a land and life very opposite of what the Puritans were seeking. Puritans and Slaves may be very different people in general, but their reasons for their voyages, the conditions of their ships, and the characteristics a passenger would need to survive these arduous journeys oversea are easily compared and contrasted.

In the seventeenth century, the Pilgrims left England to head for the “new world” we know today as the Americas with the hopes of finding a place independent of King James and England. In traveling across the vast Atlantic Ocean to live independently the Pilgrims were given the task of creating a successful society. They sought a place to express their religion freely and independent from the restrictions in England. They aspired to make this society succeed in several crucial areas. They pursued strong protection and in very unfamiliar territory in order to keep their people safe and happy.

Being the first two well-known places in which the English would set out to colonize in 1607 and 1620, Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts hold very separate set of beliefs, standards, and outlooks on life then and the future to come. While paving the way for things such as slavery, taxes, ownership of land, inclusion of women, tobacco and government assemblies, John Smith and the people of Jamestown became a classical foundation for new life and economic growth for the new world that is, the United States. On the other hand, William Bradford and his people began to realize the intentions of the Church of England were unholy and had strayed away from God’s teachings from the Bible. With this in mind, the Pilgrims set on a voyage to the new world to seek religious freedom. As we know it, the Pilgrims sought for peace and a new way of living that was fair, just and free from religious corruptions.

The Mayflower Compact and the Arbella Covenant. During the 1600’s many people had standards of how one should act to be seen as godly. Both the Pilgrims and Puritans had their own set of ideologies of what was seen as good and what was seen as bad. The New World was a chance for spiritual freedom and new opportunities.

Although all the colonists all came from England, the community development, purpose, and societal make-up caused a distinct difference between two distinct societies in New England and the Chesapeake region. The distinctions were obvious, whether it be the volume of religious drive, the need or lack of community, families versus single settlers, the decision on minimal wage, whether or not articles of agreements were drawn for and titles as well as other social matters were drawn, as well as where loyalties lay in leaders. New England was, overall, more religious than the Chesapeake region. Settlers in New England were searching relief for religious persecution in Europe. Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics were coming in droves to America searching for an opportunity to have religious freedom.

While the Virginians were focused of making a profit of the land, the New England Puritans saw it as a refuge. The New England Puritans sought religious freedom for themselves in the “New World.” They compared themselves a lot to the Israelites and saw the new land as a “Promised Land.” Their attitude towards the land was that of respect, but they believed God wanted them to “use” the land.

This essay is about the similarities and differences between my life and the Puritans Lives. The Puritans left England to come to America because they wanted to escape persecution from the church. They came to what is known now as New England. The Puritans were also highly religious. Some of the similarities are the belief in God, working hard in life, and self-discipline.

Evidence shows that the Puritans had politically influenced their colonies with their religious values. In the New World, a group of Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. There, the Puritans would create a government that would revolve around their covenant with God. On the way to the New World, John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, led a sermon, titled “A Model of Christian Charity”, about Puritan ideals (Winthrop). As well as determining Puritan ideals, the sermon urges colonists to unite as a “city on a hill” for others to look up to (Winthrop).

The Puritans broke away from England after trying to purify the Church of England. They eventually became upset after King Henry refused to allow them to make the church pure and departed to the New World. There, the Puritans had to create their own form of government. They formed the Mayflower Compact; a document stating 41 men will work together to govern the people with religion being the center of the colony. The Puritans tried to create a democracy for ruling the people of the New World, but ruling with a democracy was almost impossible for them.

The Puritans was a huge deal in the 1600s. It consisted of colonists who were seeking religious tolerance. Puritans were so strict that it was so far fetched from tolerant. One would be punished to not attend church, it was against the law. Men and women were separated through the day long services.

Puritans, much like the Pilgrims, immigrated to the New World for one reason; religious freedom. But unlike the Pilgrims, who were small and wanted to stay small, the Puritans wanted to build a religious utopia. They came by the boat loads, and by 1643 there were over 20,000 Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Because of their population, the Puritans became one of the largest dominating culture in New England. The Puritans would practice rules and regulations for their colonies that would one day inspire the Founding Fathers to write the Constitution.

The arrival of the first Europeans in the Americas is dramatically captured through the many writers who attempted to communicate what they saw, experienced and felt. What is more, the very purposes of their treacherous travel and colonization are clearly seen in their writings; whether it is poetry, history or sermons. Of the many literary pieces available today, William Bradford and John Winthrop’s writings, even though vary because the first is a historical account and the second is a sermon, stand out as presenting a clear trust in God, the rules that would govern them and the reason they have arrived in the Americas. First of all, William Bradford provides an in-depth look into the first moment when the Puritans arrived in the Americas. In fact, he chronicles the hardships they face on their way to Plymouth, yet he includes God’s provision every step of the way.

Puritanism was a religious reform movement that arose within the church of England. This act pushed people away, migrating to the New World to create colonies. The migration laid the foundation for the religious, intellectual, and social