New England colonies organized their society based on theocracy, which ensured their values and ideas had a significant impact on the economic, political and social development during the 1630s through the 1660s.
The Puritans worked hard to prioritize the economic development of New England since their belief was that they were a model for humankind favored by God to succeed. Economic activity of the region, was secondary under the focus of religious concerns. Wealthy merchants made up the portion of Puritan settlers which created a merchant upper class at the top of the economic pyramid. In addition, ample environmental resources such as timber and seafood ensured these products became valued among the New England colonies. The Puritans …show more content…
When settlers founded Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, John Winthrop, the Puritan leader, wrote of their aspiration to create a colony that was reflective of a “city upon a hill” and represented the ideal “mode of Christian charity” (Doc A). These snippets exemplified the ideal society which the Puritans aspired to create. New England was implemented strict moral codes, including bans on public drunkenness and harsh punishments against the disobedient toward “God’s law.” Development politically centralized on the founding of a religious state where saintliness overshadowed other concerns. The incorporation of ethics in Puritan politics caused a harsh response from other colonies. For example, Roger Williams, a Protestant preacher, challenged Puritan hierarchy colonies since he believed God did not require religion to be enforced in any civil state (Doc F). Hence, his banishment from the Massachusetts Bay colonies in 1636. His actions led to the establishment of the Rhode Island colony which provided a safe haven for religious outcasts. This illustrated the building tensions surrounding Puritan theocratic values. The Puritan clergy dominated the political composition of New England,as well as enforcing conformity between church and state, which is expressed in Nathaniel Ward’s beliefs against government tolerance of religions diversity (Doc
The Puritans worked hard to prioritize the economic development of New England since their belief was that they were a model for humankind favored by God to succeed. Economic activity of the region, was secondary under the focus of religious concerns. Wealthy merchants made up the portion of Puritan settlers which created a merchant upper class at the top of the economic pyramid. In addition, ample environmental resources such as timber and seafood ensured these products became valued among the New England colonies. The Puritans …show more content…
When settlers founded Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, John Winthrop, the Puritan leader, wrote of their aspiration to create a colony that was reflective of a “city upon a hill” and represented the ideal “mode of Christian charity” (Doc A). These snippets exemplified the ideal society which the Puritans aspired to create. New England was implemented strict moral codes, including bans on public drunkenness and harsh punishments against the disobedient toward “God’s law.” Development politically centralized on the founding of a religious state where saintliness overshadowed other concerns. The incorporation of ethics in Puritan politics caused a harsh response from other colonies. For example, Roger Williams, a Protestant preacher, challenged Puritan hierarchy colonies since he believed God did not require religion to be enforced in any civil state (Doc F). Hence, his banishment from the Massachusetts Bay colonies in 1636. His actions led to the establishment of the Rhode Island colony which provided a safe haven for religious outcasts. This illustrated the building tensions surrounding Puritan theocratic values. The Puritan clergy dominated the political composition of New England,as well as enforcing conformity between church and state, which is expressed in Nathaniel Ward’s beliefs against government tolerance of religions diversity (Doc