How Did The Puritans Influence American Culture

The Puritans came to the new world in the early 1600’s to build a wold where there religion could be purified from many of the corrupt ways of the Church of England. The Massachusetts Bay colony gave new hope for those fighting for a new way of life. Puritanism was responsible for shaping much of America. Ideas of Puritan culture is not only important because they were the first ones to travel to the country, but because they offered ideas that are still established in American culture. Our works habits reflect a Protestant work ethic. John Calvin argued work was a calling from God. They also believed in predestination and viewed success as a way of salvation. If you work hard, you will receive rewards in life and after life. The Puritan lifestyle left a huge impact on the American psyche. Americans express one of our founding fathers work ethic still today. Americans take less vacations than most other industrial countries. We are largely defined by our work and the success we achieve.

The Puritans eventually broke away from the Church of England and there willingness to separate from the church became part of the American character. Americans felt that they could break up from corrupt systems and the Puritan philosophy played a large part in the fight for American Independence. It is no coincidence the struggled for independence started in Massachusetts. God’s role is a Puritans life is vividly expressed in Mary Rowlandson’s, a “Narrative of Captivity Restoration.” Rowlandson, the daughter of a Massachusetts Bay landowner and wife of a minister, describes her life as a captive of the Indians. She was a Puritan and her religious beliefs are woven throughout her story. Throughout her writings, she references the scriptures. She writes of Psalm 37.5 - “Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will bring it to