Puritans Influence On Society

The Puritan’s Influence on the Development of the New England Colonies

Sander Cochran In the seventeenth century as the English colonized North America a group of religious dissidents known as the Puritans began to settle the Massachusetts Bay Colony and greatly influenced the colonies early development. The Puritans effected social development of the colony by stressing the importance of literacy and education, the creation of a model Christian community, and the advancement of the common good. Puritan settlers influenced economic develop by introducing a strong religiously rooted work ethic and a focus on agriculture. Puritan faith and ideals effected political development by instituting a state religion and creating a democratic government

Puritan influences shaped the colony’s government. For example only land owning men who had a church membership could vote (T 62). The Puritans establishment of a state religion also influenced the establishment of smaller more tolerant colonies around Massachusetts and the actions of the Puritans towards the natives. The settlers justified their mistreatment and cruelty, such as the burning William Bradford describes, “It was a fearful to see them thus frying in the fire, and the streams of blood quenching the same; and horrible was the stink and scent thereof: but the victory seemed so sweet sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God,” (Doc D), as the will of God. John Winthrop said in particular “If God were not pleased with our inheriting these parts why doth he still make roome for us by them diminishing as we increase?” (T 67). The Puritans thought it a sign from God that they had right to use and conquer land, land that they thought the natives could not use properly. The relationship between the Puritans and the natives had not always been this way. In “The Enlarged Salem Covenant” the Puritans state “not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote” (Doc C). This contrasts sharply with the relationship the Puritans actually had with the natives, which resulted in multiple wars and the almost complete annihilation of all native tribes in the area. This is just one small example of Puritan hypocrisy that applies not only to this but also many other of the Puritans religious ideals and soured the mostly positive influence the Puritans had on the region. Not only did religion shape New England democracy it also played a major part of it. Most laws passed enforced religious moral codes, religious leaders, such as John Winthrop, had a huge influence on government or held important government positions, and church membership decided a person’s ability to have a voice in