John Winthrop

Overall, I can see why John Winthrop fought against Anne Hutchinson.  He was looking after the colony and wanted stability that took a while to form there in the new land.  In one my articles "The Case Against Anne Hutchinson", it mentions how he told his fellow immigrants that "'the care of the publique must oversway all private respects'" (Morgan 643).  If anybody could have direct relationships and communication with God, then there would be no need for a religious state.  That threatens Winthrop's position as Governor.

His actions are understandable, but the way he goes about it hurts his credibility.  Even though he is said to have had deep personal faith and religious affiliations, "...he could not recognize in Anne Hutchinson's teachings the outlines of another religious and political philosophy with its own right to exist" (Morgan 635).  Although Puritans sought out religious purification and fled from England because of their disgust at King Charles, many were open to other interpretations of faith.  Anne Hutchinson's interpretation was about having a personal relationship with God, and many Puritans accepted herr views and attended her meetings.  Winthrop did not accept her, and her gender only added to his dislike of her because she was a successful, outspoken woman who taught her own views without consent of those in higher power.  During the trial the prosecution attacks her for not being able to conseive any more children, and for showing menopausal symptoms.  Neither have anything to do with the religious issue, but were used to back up their claims.  By attacking her gender, Winthrop sank pretty low and lost some credibility as a governor who's just trying to protect his people from change.