Week 3: Government and Morality

 


The signing of the Mayflower Compact by passengers on board the Mayflower in November 1620. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1899.

Thank you to Miah and Liya for teaching us about the Puritans and the Salem witch trials, and about the French and Indian (Seven-Years) War. Anytime we study a period of history, it’s good to look backwards even a bit further to find out what led to the period we’re studying. It helps to put things into context, and helps us understand why people did what they did.

 

This week we also discussed the role that virtue plays in self-governance. The colonists weren’t sure they had the self-discipline it would take to break away from the total control of England and be their own masters. When it was pointed out to the colonists by a few highly esteemed men (such as John Adams, John Quincy, George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Paine) that Americans indeed had the qualities to self-govern, public opinion leaned in favor of independence. Americans realized that they were unique among civilized nations in their industriousness, frugality and trustworthiness—virtues required for a people to have true liberty.

 

The pilgrims understood this, too, over a century before the idea of independence was even born. They recognized they needed to covenant with God and each other if they were ever going to be able to build and manage a colony in the wilderness. The same pattern that applies at home also applies in free societies: prove that you are trustworthy and obedient to the rules, and you will have more freedom. Hmmm, it almost seems as if that plan was designed by God…!

 

Assignments:

 

  • Writing: Why is a moral people required for good government?

 

  • Reading: Finish reading The Landing of the Pilgrims and come prepared next week (10/28) with comments and questions to discuss. Emily and Liya will lead our discussion.

 

  • Presentations: We will be pleased to learn all about the Boston Massacre from Braeden.

 

  • Devotional: Liam (Thanks for switching with Braeden!)

 

CANDY TRIVIA:

How long did the Pilgrims have to live aboard the Mayflower, anchored in Plymouth Harbor, before they all could come ashore?

 *****FYI: All first semester award requirements (except the Heritage Award) are due January 27th. Kudos to those who have already passed off a few things! Next semester will offer a whole new set of award opportunities!*****


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