History is the study of past events. However, there are many accounts of the events from the past. How are we supposed to know which one is right? It is simple there is no one correct version of it .History is not just about the facts, but rather the interpretation of these facts. Interpretations and perspectives not only make history more interesting, but they allow people to analyze and create their own individual conclusions. People like Howard Zinn and Paul Johnson undertake the task of telling history from their own views, leaving them exposed to criticism about their opinions. The selected primary sources confirm and support each author’s interpretation of the settlement in the Massachusetts Bay Colony differently. In the books A People’s
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According to Johnson, Winthrop’s leadership was a turning point in the history of New England. Winthrop’s determination and efficiency enabled him to secure position of governor in the colony.After he completed his first term as governor he wrote a letter to Sir Nathaniel Rich who was curious about the conditions in the colony. This primary source discusses issues that mostly agree with Johnson. Winthrop begins his letter by making multiple religious references such as, “the work of the lord in our hands” and “among the special favours of God towards us”. He believes just what Johnson said, the Puritans goal was to “create his kingdom on earth”. WInthrop then goes on to describe how the colony is in good health and there are no disease, the supplies are abundant and they even have a backup plan incase their suppliers fail. He describes the winters as “sharp and longe” and the summers are more “fervent in heat than in England”. Johnson describes the winters as “harsh” and mentions the horrible effects such as scurvy and death. Winthrop does a great job at explaining the political system in the colony. The “civil government is mixt: the freemen choose the magistrates every year… and at 4 courts in the year 3 out of each town (there being 8 in all) do assist the magistrates in making laws, imposing taxes, and disposing of lands”. As Johnson included Winthrop wanted self-governing and as stated in his narrative that was made possible in the colony. Winthrop finishes his report by mention the natives who are “all dead of the smallpox”. He believes “the Lord hath cleared our title to what we possess. As reported by Zinn the Puritans believe that the death of the Indians was a gift from god and they “justify their use of force to take the land” with the bible. John Winthrop’s son Forth Winthrop followed in his father’s footsteps and wrote a detailed paper listing the reasons for plantation in
According to Johnson, Winthrop’s leadership was a turning point in the history of New England. Winthrop’s determination and efficiency enabled him to secure position of governor in the colony.After he completed his first term as governor he wrote a letter to Sir Nathaniel Rich who was curious about the conditions in the colony. This primary source discusses issues that mostly agree with Johnson. Winthrop begins his letter by making multiple religious references such as, “the work of the lord in our hands” and “among the special favours of God towards us”. He believes just what Johnson said, the Puritans goal was to “create his kingdom on earth”. WInthrop then goes on to describe how the colony is in good health and there are no disease, the supplies are abundant and they even have a backup plan incase their suppliers fail. He describes the winters as “sharp and longe” and the summers are more “fervent in heat than in England”. Johnson describes the winters as “harsh” and mentions the horrible effects such as scurvy and death. Winthrop does a great job at explaining the political system in the colony. The “civil government is mixt: the freemen choose the magistrates every year… and at 4 courts in the year 3 out of each town (there being 8 in all) do assist the magistrates in making laws, imposing taxes, and disposing of lands”. As Johnson included Winthrop wanted self-governing and as stated in his narrative that was made possible in the colony. Winthrop finishes his report by mention the natives who are “all dead of the smallpox”. He believes “the Lord hath cleared our title to what we possess. As reported by Zinn the Puritans believe that the death of the Indians was a gift from god and they “justify their use of force to take the land” with the bible. John Winthrop’s son Forth Winthrop followed in his father’s footsteps and wrote a detailed paper listing the reasons for plantation in