Divine Dissent Presentation Divine Dissent
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson
Warm-up: The Power of Words
Theocracy
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a god.
Democracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Which term best fits the early Massachusetts Bay Colony? Why?
Colonizing America
Crash Course US History #2
Embedded media
Focusing on the banishment of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson (10:41 - 11:19)
The Theological Clash
Covenant of Works
The belief that moral behavior and following church law are signs of salvation.
Covenant of Grace
The belief that salvation is a gift from God through "inner grace," regardless of outward actions.
"The power of the Holy Spirit dwells in a justified person... no sanctification can help to evidence to us our justification."
— Anne Hutchinson
Activity: The Trial of 1637
Anne Hutchinson
The accused. Defends her "inner light" and her right to teach.
John Winthrop
Governor of MA. Sees dissent as a threat to the "City on a Hill."
Magistrates
The judges. Interrogate Anne on law and scripture.
Colonists
The observers. React to the testimony and voice the colony's fears.
Goal:
Debate if Anne is a "threat to order" or a "champion of spirit."
20 Minutes
Journal Reflection
Was Anne Hutchinson a threat to the colony's survival or a champion of liberty ?
Consider: Could a community survive if everyone followed their own "inner light"?
Hutchinson Trial Scenarios Hutchinson Trial Scenarios
Class Activity: Re-enacting the General Court of Massachusetts (1637)
Case No. 1637-AH
Student Name
Date
Assigned Role
The Charges
Anne Hutchinson stands accused of sedition and contempt. She has held meetings in her home to discuss sermons, criticized the colony's ministers, and claimed that God speaks directly to her soul—bypassing the authority of the Church.
The Accused: Anne Hutchinson
"I am called here to answer before you, but I hear a voice you do not."
Goal: Defend your "Inner Grace." Argue that church leaders are too focused on outward behavior (works) and not enough on the soul.
Key Point: If God is all-powerful, can He not speak directly to any person He chooses?
Challenge: You are a woman in a society where only men preach. How do you justify your influence?
The Governor: John Winthrop
"A City on a Hill cannot stand if its foundations are being cracked by dissent."
Goal: Maintain social order. You believe the colony's survival depends on everyone following the same rules.
Key Point: Without the law of the Church, there is only chaos. Private revelations lead to anarchy.
Challenge: Anne is popular. You must prove she is not just different, but dangerous to everyone's safety.
The Magistrates (Judges)
"Show us where in the Scripture a woman is permitted to teach men."
Goal: Interrogate Anne using logic and law. Find a specific reason to legally banish her.
Key Point: The Bible is the final authority. If she claims a "new" revelation, she is a heretic.
Challenge: Anne is clever. She uses Scripture to defend herself. You must out-argue her.
The Chorus (Common People)
"Will our children be safe? Will our crops grow? Is she bringing God's wrath?"
Goal: Voice the fears and hopes of the town. Some of you secretly attend Anne's meetings; others fear she is a witch.
Key Point: We just want peace. Is the Governor being too harsh, or is Anne being too prideful?
Challenge: You are caught between respect for the law and the feeling that Anne speaks the truth.
Note-Taking Area: Prepare Your Argument
"The things which have been revealed are for us and our children... but secrets belong to the Lord." — Deuteronomy 29:29
Colonial Liberty Journal Colonial Liberty Journal
Post-Trial Reflection & Research Extension
Name
Date
The Verdict
"Was Anne Hutchinson a threat to the colony's survival or a champion of liberty?"
Reflect on today's role-play and video. Consider the tension between individual conscience and the need for social order in a "City on a Hill."
Extension: The Rhode Island Experiment
Both Roger Williams and (eventually) Anne Hutchinson's followers found refuge in Rhode Island. Unlike Massachusetts, this colony was founded on the principle of "liberty of conscience."
Research Prompt 1
How did the founding of Rhode Island differ from Massachusetts in terms of the separation of church and state?
Research Prompt 2
What role did Roger Williams play in establishing early American ideas about religious pluralism?
Extension Notes Area
Unit: Foundations of American Identity • 11th Grade Literature/History
Divine Dissent Teacher Guide Divine Dissent Guide
Teacher Facilitation Resource
11th Grade Lit/Hist
Instructional Objective
Students will analyze the role of dissent in colonial Massachusetts by examining the theological and social conflict of the Anne Hutchinson trial, evaluating the balance between religious conformity and individual liberty.
Materials Needed
• Divine Dissent Slides
• Hutchinson Trial Scenarios
• Colonial Liberty Journal
• Crash Course Video Link
Lesson Pacing & Activities
05 Minutes
Warm-up: Theocracy vs. Democracy
Use Slide 2. Push students to realize that Massachusetts Bay was a hybrid: they voted (democratic) but only church members could vote for religious leaders who made laws (theocratic).
10 Minutes
Video: Crash Course US History #2
Watch 10:41 - 11:19. Pause after the mention of "inner grace." Explain that Hutchinson was challenging the "visible saint" hierarchy of the colony.
Discussion Question: Why would a leader like John Winthrop fear someone who claims God speaks to them directly? (Hint: It bypasses the church hierarchy's power.)
20 Minutes
Role-Play: The Trial of 1637
Distribute Hutchinson Trial Scenarios. Divide students into roles.
• Give 5 mins for students to prep their "case" using the notes section.
• Give 15 mins for the "courtroom" debate. Encourage the Chorus to "react" audibly.
10 Minutes
Reflection & Debrief
Individual writing in the Colonial Liberty Journal. If time permits, share a few "verdicts" with the class.
Key Concepts to Highlight
Social Unity vs. Individualism: Winthrop's "City on a Hill" required everyone to agree. Hutchinson's "Inner Light" was the ultimate form of individualism.
Gender Roles: A significant part of the anger toward Anne was that she was a woman teaching men, which violated their interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12.
Common Misconceptions
"The Puritans came for religious freedom for everyone." They came for their religious freedom, not for pluralism. They were highly intolerant of other views.
"Anne Hutchinson was an atheist or secular." She was deeply religious and thought she was being more faithful than the ministers.
