This essay's intent is to track, find and analyse characteristics that shaped the American way of thinking or the society of the American culture or even the political panorama in the United States of America. However, this essay focuses on the Puritan roots from the 17th and 18th century that show an impact on the current society, politics and even in the economic system. It is important to examine these factors that shaped the national characters of the US which we can observe every day in the news, television, movies, music or in the citizens of the United States. But we do not know where this all originated. This paper takes a deeper insight on how the Puritan culture, that came to the United States over 300 years ago, shaped the American society.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Puritan Heritage: A Deep Dive
- Puritanism and Individualism
- Puritanism and Democracy
- Puritanism and the Pursuit of Wealth
- Puritanism and the Sense of Mission
- Puritanism and Education
- Analysis of Puritan Characteristics and Their Modern Relevance
- Individualism
- Democracy
- The American Dream
- Sense of Mission
- Education
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to investigate and analyze the lasting influence of 17th and 18th-century Puritanism on contemporary American society, politics, and economics. It examines how specific Puritan values and beliefs have shaped the national character and continue to resonate in modern American culture.
- The impact of Puritan individualism on American values and political structures.
- The role of Puritanism in the development of American democracy.
- The connection between Puritan work ethic and the pursuit of wealth in American society.
- The influence of Puritan beliefs on the American sense of mission and global engagement.
- The legacy of Puritanism on the American education system.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section poses the central question of the essay: How has Puritanism left its mark on modern American society? It establishes the scope of the inquiry, focusing on the impact of 17th and 18th-century Puritan beliefs on present-day American culture, politics, and economics. The introduction briefly introduces Puritanism as a Protestant movement that emigrated to America, highlighting its distinct characteristics and providing a context for the subsequent analysis. The essay promises a deeper investigation into how Puritan values have shaped the American national character, drawing upon previous research, specifically mentioning Ning Kang's 2009 thesis, to provide a framework for analysis.
The Puritan Heritage: A Deep Dive: This section delves into five key areas where Puritan influence is apparent: individualism, democracy, the pursuit of wealth, a strong sense of national mission, and education. Each sub-section explores how specific Puritan beliefs and practices contributed to the development of these aspects of American culture. For instance, the concept of "predestination," with its emphasis on self-discipline and hard work, is linked to the development of American individualism and the strong work ethic associated with the "American Dream." The establishment of self-governing communities in early American colonies is presented as a precursor to the development of American democracy, emphasizing the Puritan lack of hierarchical church structure. The pursuit of wealth, tied to the belief that material success indicated divine favor, is explored in relation to the rise of American capitalism. The Puritan sense of being chosen by God to establish a "New Jerusalem" is connected to the development of a strong sense of national mission, often manifesting in American foreign policy. Finally, the Puritans' emphasis on education, rooted in their belief in the need to combat original sin, is discussed as a foundation for the development of the American public education system.
Analysis of Puritan Characteristics and Their Modern Relevance: This section critically assesses the arguments presented in the previous chapter, analyzing the extent to which Puritan characteristics remain relevant in contemporary America. The essay examines the enduring impact of Puritan individualism on American political structures and the individualistic nature of the United States as a collection of states. It further explores the connections between Puritan ideals and the development of American democracy, highlighting the influence of thinkers like Martin Luther and John Calvin. The "American Dream," with its emphasis on hard work and material success, is traced back to Puritan beliefs about divine favor and the pursuit of wealth. The historical shift from isolationism to a sense of global mission in American foreign policy is analyzed as a reflection of the Puritan belief in spreading their faith and ideals. Finally, the essay examines the lasting effects of the Puritan emphasis on education, discussing its impact on the development of the American education system and its enduring legacy in institutions like Harvard and Yale.
Keywords
Puritanism, American Individualism, American Democracy, American Dream, Pursuit of Wealth, Sense of Mission, Education, Predestination, Work Ethic, National Identity, Religious Freedom, Colonial History, American Exceptionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview provides a structured overview of an essay analyzing the lasting influence of 17th and 18th-century Puritanism on contemporary American society, politics, and economics. It covers the essay's table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay's key themes revolve around the impact of Puritanism on several aspects of American life: individualism, democracy, the pursuit of wealth (the American Dream), a sense of national mission, and education. It examines how specific Puritan values and beliefs have shaped the national character and continue to resonate in modern American culture.
What is covered in the "Puritan Heritage: A Deep Dive" section?
This section explores five key areas where Puritan influence is apparent: individualism (linking Puritan concepts like predestination to self-discipline and the American work ethic), democracy (highlighting the self-governing nature of early American Puritan communities), the pursuit of wealth (connecting material success to Puritan beliefs about divine favor), a strong sense of national mission (exploring the "New Jerusalem" concept), and education (discussing the Puritan emphasis on education to combat original sin).
How does the essay analyze the modern relevance of Puritan characteristics?
The essay critically assesses the enduring impact of Puritan characteristics in contemporary America. It examines their influence on American political structures, the development of American democracy, the "American Dream," American foreign policy, and the American education system. It traces connections between Puritan ideals and contemporary realities.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries for the Introduction, "The Puritan Heritage: A Deep Dive," and "Analysis of Puritan Characteristics and Their Modern Relevance." The Introduction establishes the essay's central question and scope. The "Deep Dive" section explores the five key themes in detail. The final section analyzes the continued relevance of Puritan characteristics in modern America.
What keywords are associated with the essay?
Keywords include Puritanism, American Individualism, American Democracy, American Dream, Pursuit of Wealth, Sense of Mission, Education, Predestination, Work Ethic, National Identity, Religious Freedom, Colonial History, and American Exceptionalism.
What is the overall objective of the essay?
The essay aims to investigate and analyze the lasting influence of 17th and 18th-century Puritanism on contemporary American society, politics, and economics. It seeks to demonstrate how specific Puritan values and beliefs have shaped the American national character and continue to resonate in modern American culture.
What is the structure of the essay as revealed by the preview?
The essay follows a clear structure: an introduction outlining the research question and scope, a detailed exploration of the Puritan heritage's impact on five key areas of American life, and a concluding analysis of the continued relevance of Puritan characteristics in contemporary society. The preview itself mirrors this structure, offering summaries of each section.
- Quote paper
- Julian Dobner Capitán (Author), 2021, The Impact of Puritan Life on American Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1158849
