미국문화의 발전에 끼친 영국의 종교적ㆍ이념적 영향

The British Religious and Ideological Influence on the Development of American Culture : Puritanism and Ideas of the Enlightenment

It has been widely known that. from the colonial times on. Puritanism and the Enlightenment of modern England have exerted profound influences on forming the basis of American values and culture. Puritanism has been the backbone of American culture, and the Enlightenment laid a cornerstone of American liberal and republican politics. But it seems difficult to acquire systematic materials to clearly elucidate those processes. And if finding some articles concerned, there remains something undesirable. So, this article is an attempt to trace those historical backgrounds and concrete facts concerned, and to make clear those processes. Firstly, I arrange political, economic, and social backgrounds explaining eccurrences of the Puritanism and the thought of the Enlightenment in England. Secondly, I ascertain the truth of how Puritanism put down roots in American soil and spread the Christian way and spirit of its own to minds of Americans, and lay the foundation of new culture. Thirdly, how those values of the Enlightenment had concretely permeated into American minds and influenced on enhancing their political consciousness and making liberal and democratic constitutions is studied.