Question

Explain why puritanism appealed to many people living during the early modern european period

Answer 1

The early modern European period occurred roughly from the 1450's until the 1700's.

Puritanism arose during the late 1500's and appealed to those that wanted to "purify" the English Church and English culture. Puritans lived strictly by the Bible and wanted to do away with the former glitz, glamour, ceremony, rituals, and riches of the Catholic Church. They believed that the combination of church and government, the King was the head of the country's government and church, would lead to tyrannical rule.

Also, Englishmen wanted to be purely "English" with no ties to Spain or its Catholicism. This included religion. The common man often could agree with this anti-Spanish/Catholic and stance wanting to break ties with their Spanish rivals after the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the British Navy.

During the early European/Elizabethan time period Catholics and the Catholic clergy were not to be trusted with priests being executed or tortured and their supporters fined or imprisoned.

Answer 2

Puritanism did have a great appeal toward artisanal guild members and the literate. Puritanism helped inspire Englishmen toward new policies of welfare and social control for the poorer by focusing religious salvation upon individual faith. It allowed Puritans engaged in economic activity to act unrestricted by the inhibitions of a traditional moral economy.