Early US History

Writing Assignment

Pilgrims and Puritans

The Puritan faith shaped much of the early New England colonies in every way: political, the economy and religiously. For this assignment begin by reading Shi “America”, Chapters 2 & 3, next read the assignment question carefully before you read the attached primary source “Model of Christian Charity.” Read the all sources carefully, taking notes as you read.

After a thorough and careful reading of the text and the primary sources, answer the assignment question with insight and clarity. Answer the questions fully, paying attention to all parts of the question. Draw upon what you have read but also reflect upon the relevant historical material covered in class.

Please leave the question on the assignment submission and place your responses directly after each question. The questions should be answered in 1-2 solid paragraphs. Use academic college level writing including evidence analysis, place in historical context. To support your answers, provide specific details and examples with in-text citations from the materials.

Refer to the course source materials and the textbook only. You do not need to do any research. Do not use outside sources (Internet, Websites etc.) Assignments with outside sources will receive zero points.

Submit the completed Assignment on Canvas (attach the word document or PDF only) by the due date & time.

Note: Canvas does not accept Mac Pages, Google docs or .odt files. Files submitted in the incorrect will receive zero points as Canvas cannot open them. Student may resubmit the in the correct format ONLY before the due date & time. Any resubmissions after the date & time will be considered late. All Assignments submitted after the due date & time will be considered late.

Assignment Questions:

Puritans led by Johnson Winthrop believed they could purify the Church of England from within. In 1630 they established the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the purpose of creating a community free of corruption of the Church of England and English society in general. On their journey, John Winthrop delivered the “Model for Christian Charity” sermon. After a thorough and careful reading of the eBook chapters and the primary sources attached, answer the assignment question with insight and clarity.

1. Who was John Winthrop speaking to in his sermon “Model of Christian Charity”? What do you think is the purpose of this sermon? What do you think Winthrop meant when he said, “We shall be as a City Upon a Hill”?

2. Explain Winthrop’s reasons for maintaining that everyone should have a set place in society and that wanting a different place would be harmful to the common good.

3. Winthrop argues against social equality and individual self-reliance. What are his reasons? What do you think of them?

4. What is the historical significance in America’s history of this sermon and the statement a “City on the Hill”?

5. How does Winthrop’s view of exceptionalism differ from modern concepts of America’s exceptionalism?

Are there components of Winthrop’s society that can still be seen in America?