Old Deluder Satan Act

Definition

The Old Deluder Satan Act, enacted in 1647 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at promoting education among Puritan communities. Its primary purpose was to ensure that children could read and understand the scriptures, thus preventing Satan from misleading them through ignorance. This act established a framework for creating schools and mandated that towns with a certain population establish educational institutions, reinforcing the Puritan belief in the importance of literacy and religious instruction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Old Deluder Satan Act is considered one of the first laws regarding public education in America, laying the groundwork for future educational systems.
2. The act specifically required towns with 50 or more households to appoint a teacher to educate children, while towns with 100 or more households were mandated to establish a grammar school.
3. The law reflects the Puritan emphasis on reading scripture, as literacy was viewed as essential to understanding God's word and resisting Satan's temptations.
4. Failure to comply with the act could lead to fines imposed on communities, highlighting the seriousness with which education was regarded by Puritan authorities.
5. The Old Deluder Satan Act set a precedent for state involvement in education and influenced future educational policies in the United States.

Review Questions

• How did the Old Deluder Satan Act reflect Puritan values regarding education and literacy?
  • The Old Deluder Satan Act embodies Puritan values by emphasizing the necessity of literacy for understanding scripture and resisting ignorance, which they believed allowed Satan to mislead individuals. By mandating educational provisions, it showcased the Puritans' commitment to moral instruction and spiritual enlightenment through reading. The act was designed not only to combat ignorance but also to promote an educated society grounded in religious teachings.
• Discuss the implications of the Old Deluder Satan Act on the development of public education in early America.
  • The Old Deluder Satan Act had significant implications for public education in early America as it established legal expectations for towns to provide education, setting a precedent for government involvement in schooling. It marked a shift from informal community-based learning towards more structured educational systems, ensuring that literacy became a communal responsibility. This laid the foundation for future educational reforms and contributed to the evolution of public schooling across various states.
• Evaluate how the principles behind the Old Deluder Satan Act can be seen in contemporary discussions about education and literacy.
  • Contemporary discussions about education and literacy still reflect principles similar to those found in the Old Deluder Satan Act, particularly regarding access to quality education as a means of empowerment. The belief that literacy is crucial for informed citizenship resonates today as society emphasizes the need for educated individuals who can critically engage with information. Additionally, debates around educational equity often echo Puritan concerns about ensuring all children are equipped to resist ignorance, illustrating how foundational ideas from the act continue to influence current educational policies.

Related terms

Puritanism:

A religious reform movement that emerged in the late 16th century within the Church of England, emphasizing moral purity, simplicity in worship, and the need for personal piety.

Massachusetts Bay Colony: A British settlement on the east coast of North America, established in 1628 by Puritans seeking to create a 'city upon a hill' that would serve as a model of Christian virtue and governance.

Common School Movement: A 19th-century reform movement that sought to provide free and publicly funded elementary education for all children, emphasizing the role of education in creating informed citizens.