Between the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the most important change that occurred in the colonies was the extension of British ideals far beyond the practice in England itself. Changes in religion, economics, politics, and social structure illustrated this Americanization of the transplanted Europeans. By 1763, although some colonies still maintained established churches, other colonies had accomplished a virtual revolution for religious toleration and separation of church and state. In similar economic revolution, the colonies outgrew their mercantile relationship with the mother country and developed an expanding capitalist system of their own. Building on English foundations of political liberty, the colonists extended the concepts of liberty and self-government far beyond those envisioned in the mother country. In contrast to the well-defined and hereditary classes of England, the colonies developed a fluid class structure, which enabled the industrious individuals to rise on the social ladder. .
The religious structure of colonial society within New England was based in the Puritan viewpoints, which sprung from Calvinism. This early period saw restrictions, from religious beliefs, on the law and involvement in making the law. The laws were shaped to abide with the Puritans" tenets. Such people who were not one of the "elect" could not partake in governmental affairs. As people began to attend colleges, such as Harvard, they began to think. The Puritans monopoly over the religious scene was ended during this Great Awakening. Revivalist of the Great Awakening, like Johnathan Edwards and George Whitefield, preached to replace the older Puritan ideals of conversion and salvation with more rational and less emotional beliefs. This Enlightenment Era brought people to form their own ideals and viewpoints on the subject of religion. Noticing a loss in membership, the Puritans even began to compromise and change their own religious views, inventing "Half-Way" covenants to permit the non-elect to join the church congregation, and therefore have a say in government.