Concetti Chiave
- The Puritans, followers of Calvin, emerged in the 16th century, known for their religious and moral earnestness.
- Calvinist belief linked material success with divine grace, influencing the rise of an enterprising middle class in Calvinist countries like the USA.
- In the 17th century, Puritans represented the evolving middle class, advocating for government participation and clashing with aristocratic support for the monarchy.
- Their victory in the Civil War led to a strict, austere lifestyle, merging church and state, with all life aspects governed by the Bible.
- Facing opposition, some Puritans sought religious freedom in America, becoming the Pilgrim Fathers, leaving a lasting impact on British and American society.
The term “ In the 17th century the Puritans came to represent the new way of life: they were mainly from the emerging middle class of town tradesmen who wanted a larger share in the Government. The odd, conservation element was represented by the ex-feudal landowners who supported the king. This division between middle class and aristocracy was to culminate in the Civil war which saw for a short period, thr triumph of the Puritans.
Puritan lifestyle and beliefs
They imposed a very rigid, austere way of life: no pleasure, no amusement, the theatres were closed and acting forbidden (1642): everything – from personal life to workship, business, even recreation was regulated in the light of God’s demand. The Bible was the source of all rule. Church and State became one and the same power.
The This is how the American journalist Richard Lingeman described the mentality of the early settlers of New England: “Godly people, the Puritans believed, must live under the constant surveillance of their neighbors if they were to stay godly. They regarded humankind as incorrigibly sinful.”
Legacy of puritanism
Even if Puritans domination finished in 1660, it left a mark never to be completely extinguished in British and American society
Domande da interrogazione
- ¿Cuál fue la consecuencia importante de la teoría de la predestinación de Calvino según el texto?
- ¿Qué representaban los puritanos en el siglo XVII y qué cambios impusieron?
- ¿Por qué algunos puritanos decidieron emigrar a América y cómo se les conoce?
La interpretación del éxito material y la prosperidad como evidencia de la gracia divina, lo que llevó a un floreciente espíritu emprendedor en los países donde se desarrolló el calvinismo, incluyendo a los Estados Unidos.
Representaban una nueva forma de vida, principalmente de la clase media emergente, y durante su breve triunfo en la Guerra Civil, impusieron una vida austera y rígida, cerrando teatros y regulando todos los aspectos de la vida según las demandas de Dios.
Buscaban libertad religiosa y una nueva vida, y se les conoce como los Padres Peregrinos que viajaron en el Mayflower.
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