Name:__________________________
How Did We Get Here? Push and Pull Factors
In the second half of the 16th century (1500’s), during the reign of
Elizabeth I, there was a feeling among many Englishmen that religious
changes had not gone far enough. These people, primarily members of the
middle and lower classes, wanted to "purify" the Church of England by
doing away with what's left of Catholicism and returning to a simple and
pure form of worship. The Puritan concept of worship included no strict
beliefs, no ceremonies, no religious idols and no formal Book of Prayer
(bible).
The Puritans did not like that they were forced to support the Church
through taxes. They preferred to worship in a sincere and honest way in
direct communication with God.
These precepts caused the Puritans to fight with the King and
government. The Church ran the authority of the law, meaning that the
laws in England were based on the teachings of the church. Anyone who
did not practice the religion ordered by the King would be persecuted.
Attendance at church services was mandatory and ensured that the
surveillance was total. For those who failed to conform, the penalties were
severe.
As the Puritan movement grew stronger in
numbers so did the opposition and repression of
the King, the government and the Church. As
religious tensions in England grew, the New World
was seen as a place of protection where rebels
could worship as they pleased.
Religious differences and
the resulting political difficulties
were not, however, the only
reason for emigration to
America In the early 17th century
(1600’s), the economic and social
lives of Englishmen were
undergoing dramatic changes.
England's economy had for centuries been based on agriculture. The lack of
available land for farming of both the gentry (land owners) and the people
who lived on the farms (tenant farmers) could not be satisfied on a small
island governed by people who maintained outdated rights. The gentry
wanted more land while tenant farmers wanted to own the land they
worked on.
Make a Prediction: What are the Puritans and poor laborers going to do to
improve their quality of life?
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By the beginning of the 17th century, land was becoming increasingly
scarce while the population was growing. England was, in fact,
overpopulated. At the same time, the woolen industry went into a severe
depression. Prices on all goods were rising very fast. The poor, laboring
classes suffered most from this condition.
Thousands were thrown out of work. People who worked on farms
were also forced out of work because the open fields of England were
being used for raising sheep to support the woolen industry.
Thus the New World and its opportunities began to seem more
appealing to the poor, the unemployed, and the younger sons of the
gentry. Seemingly limitless territories of land and the potential for trade
and commerce offered possibilities for producing new wealth.
Reign:_________________________________________________________________________
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Persecuted:___________________________________________________________________
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Opposition:___________________________________________________________________
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Repression:___________________________________________________________________
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Emigration:___________________________________________________________________
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Gentry:________________________________________________________________________
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Commerce:___________________________________________________________________
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