“in What Ways Did the Ideas and Values Held by the Puritans Influence the Political, Economic, and Social Development of the New England Colonies from 1630 Through the 1660’s?”

In the early 1600’s, a particularly radical group of the Protestant reformers believed that the post-reformation practices of the Catholic church were not pure enough and wanted to strip further and purify the religion; they were accordingly named the Puritans. Eventually, they came over to the New World to have more control. The Puritans’ ideas about government, unique gender roles, and value of literacy influenced the way they colonized the New England area.

They valued hard work and believed that by maintaining a strong work ethic, they would be chosen as the “elect,” or someone who would be chosen to be saved by God. An example of someone who lived their life dedicated to doing worthwhile things was Robert Keayne. In Document F, Robert Keayne describes how his life has been full of hard work and his purpose in his last will and testament is to inform others about how he spent his life committed to work and did not waste his time. Keayne’s testament is an example of the Puritan work ethic that encouraged employment and kept unemployment rates low. Had Keayne not worked hard, he would not have been considered one of the “elect.” As a result of the importance of working hard, the New England colonies developed to have a strong work ethic. The colonists positively benefitted from a strong work ethic because they were able to prosper and advance. Men were encouraged to find jobs in order to please the Lord. Another way in which the Puritans influenced the economic development was by increasing awareness of the importance of wealth. Although the Puritans, such as John Higginson, did not agree that wealth was an important factor in life as compared to religion, the fact was that having land and money was becoming a higher priority for many. Higginson’s point of view in Document G is biased because he strongly supports religion over wealth.

The Puritans peregrination to the New World was to fabricate a society based on their religious beliefs. They wanted to build colonies that were going to worship and practice their religion as they did. A community that was more morally sound and based off of their view of Christianity. They settled in the New England colonies and established Massachusetts Bay as well as Boston. While establishing their “city upon a hill” they impacted the New England region with their political structure and religious emphasis. Their influence lasted throughout the 1600s and affected the society politically, socially, and economically through their spread of Christianity and morals.

The New England colonies developed quickly and rapidly through the early 1600s. The colonies’ development was largely influenced by the Puritans, who had helped found most of the colonies in the region after emigrating from GB. The philosophies, ideas, and values of the Puritans greatly shaped the development of the colonies in a number of distinct ways. Politically, the idea of a united, representative government that later became a staple of the US was derived from Puritan ideals. Economically, the ideals of fair pricing and the celebrated “Yankee frugality and thriftiness” originated from the Puritans. Socially, emphasis on church, religion, and community was another lasting influence of the Puritans. Clearly, the values held by the Puritans greatly influenced the political, economic, and social development of the New England colonies from 1630 to 1660.

The Puritans were a religious group that came to North America in search of religious freedom, and, in the process, greatly impacted the North American church, government, education, social mores, and economy. Many of the things that they implemented in the first colonies are still seen today in the social and governmental structures of the United States. Their beliefs and traditions are still practiced today and many social mores are still being adhered to, even now.

A Puritan defined is “a member of a group of English Protestants of the late 16th and 17th centuries who regarded the Reformation of the Church of England under Elizabeth as incomplete and sought to simplify and regulate forms of worship.” Puritan society in America depended on the belief that all members were working for the glory of God. The Puritans did not allow deviations from the strict code of behavior which would not allow any member to have individuality. They restricted any type of entertainment, except that which was endorsed by the church. They worked and worshipped.

The New England colonies rapidly developed though out the 1600s. This mass of development was influenced by the Puritans, whom founded a majority of the New England and several Middle colonies. The Puritan philosophies and values formed and directed the progress of the colonies. Socially, strict emphasis on church and community was influential in other colonial settlements as well. Politically, unification and representation derived from the Puritans. Economically, ideas such as fair pricing originated through the Puritan minds. It is obvious that the ideas held by Puritans grasped the social, political and economic maturity of the New England colonies in the time period of 1630 to 1660.

They came with a goal based on religion and their new colony was created on solely that. Religion affected the political, economic, and social development of the New England Colonies. The Puritans in the New England Colonies had a very accelerated

Seeing how devastating their worlds were, the English, came in fleets of ships around the late 16th and early 17th century They, decided to colonize here in the east coast of America; however, many problems did arise when trying to settle. Different clashes of culture diversified the English into two separate colonies; New England, and Chesapeake. The reasons behind the unfolding of these two colonies are reasons for colonization, social reasons and environmental reasoning . Thus procreating two very distinct colonies. The Puritans were persecuted in England.

Popular mythology conjures up images of Puritan New England as a pious, homogenous, agrarian community, a "Citty upon a Hill" intended to inspire the English homeland to turn to Puritan ways.(1) However, Puritan New England was more than a collection of small, agrarian communities. The harbors of New England supported shipping and fishing industries, and abundant timber and ore supplies inspired the Puritans of North America to pursue a colonial version of the English iron industry. These new American Ironworks required skilled labor; it was not possible simply to take the offspring of Puritan farmers and merchants and turn them into iron workers. The experienced, skilled laborers needed were mostly recruited from England and, generally,

In the 1630s to 1660s, the Puritans strong belief in god and its upholding shaped the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s development. The colony was fully based on the Puritan’s view which painted their religion and it effected the lifestyle. The Puritans were a highly religious group that believed god’s will was the absolute. As shown in document 3, it states how the church is always right and nothing should be done to offend it. This shows the grasp of the Puritans hold toward god because this was a statement of the church’s membership and so it should display their beliefs.

Europeans migrated and formed the American colonies in the 1600s. Puritans were religious separatists, who left the Church of England and migrated to the American colonies. According to my map analysis, the maps display European influences in North America and show that puritans settled mainly in New England Massachusetts. These Puritans migrated with their own prescribed way of life, beliefs, and doctrines. In their new home, Puritans preached and introduced puritanical doctrines to the New England society. This affected the lives and lifestyles of New Englanders. People were taught to live their life in fear of the wrath of God. People lived according to whatever the church or the ministers instructed out of fear of going to hell. Therefore,

In my thesis I contend that the Puritan society was successful because they came with family and friends from the same town or homes they originated from. Puritans also distributed lands amongst charters which created a stable economic status for all of the people living in the community. They were also able to befriend any neighboring Native Americans to avoid conflict that can harm or destroy their new successful society. Puritans came to New England with a new self-rule, meaning they left England because of religious persecution held against them. They were able to create a new successful society that lasted a very long time.

The Puritan society originated in England during the 1600s under King Charles and the bishops. The Puritans believed in the Anglican church, but it held too many of the Catholic churches remains. They wanted it to be purified by the Catholics, they tried to reform the Anglican church but it did not succeed (Campbell) Stuart Monarchs who ruled England were limiting Catholic influence in Puritanism, therefore it did not have great success (Campbell). Several Puritans came up with the Massachusetts company and got resources and built the group of Puritans into the New World (Britannica). Puritans lived a strict lives based on a literal interpretation in the Bible, and constantly talked and emphasized a fear of God and a fear of sin

Finally, the puritans believed in Protestant ethic. Protestant ethic was the value attached to hard work in one’s “calling”. The puritans believed that hard work would bring success. Success was a sign that one’s fate was destined for heaven. The New England colonies prospered because of the Puritan’s strong values of hard work.