PURITANISM AND THE FOUNDING OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY.
Puritans were a group of religious people who founded the colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1628, with dreams of creating "a city upon a hill" for Godly people like themselves. They had to deal with many obstacles in establishing the colony, such as Indians, disease, and people who simply refused to adhere to their beliefs. Puritanism was the basis for the government and local organization within this New England Colony. The Massachusetts Bay society revolved around Biblical principals to function efficiently. Thus, the Puritans of this New England colony established life in North America for a specific purpose, to create a true kingdom of God on earth. Puritan families and relationships had various similarities and differences in respect to modern day culture. Children were provided for at a young age, but then sent away to a world of apprenticeship and servitude. Much of their society revolved around Calvinistic teachings and social virtue, yet a number of their cultural ideas and laws would be considered quite outdated by today's standards. .
Puritans had to deal with many agricultural and cultural problems in their new colony. Forming a new colony was by no means an easy transition and adjustment for these people. They were in a new land with new rules, new resources, and new neighbors. The colony faced a cold winter in shabbily built homes with a famine that led settlers to eat mussels and acorns to live. By spring, Puritans learned to depend on farming as a necessity for survival. Everyday consisted of planting crops, pulling out weeds and harvesting their food. Even young children were involved in the farming tasks and chores including animal care. .
To begin their new government, so that the new colony would thrive as a civilized society, the Puritans elected John Winthrop as their governor. Their new government was theocratic.
It is clear that many Puritans aspirations were, indeed, fulfilled, yet some were not. ... Puritans were very intellectual beings. ... Reason played a huge part in Puritan opinions. ... Puritans wished to maintain order in their colony. ... Puritans became the mold of religious liberty. ...
Works of the Puritans Most people think of the Puritans as simple people who have been passed by today's technological advances. ... The basic ideas and ways of the Puritan life can be seen from their numerous writings; these writings can be a hidden pathway into the every day life of a puritan. Jonathan Edwards was a shining example of the Puritan way of life. ... The end goal of the Puritans was of course to make it into heaven. ... The Puritan people lived almost entirely on the worship of God. ...
It was what the Puritans believed in as well as the villagers of Salem. The Puritans were very dedicated to their religious beliefs, and to the Puritans witchcraft was considered both a sin and a crime. The main reason why the witch trials occurred was because the Puritans goal in life was to purify the organization of their church. ... Nevertheless, the Puritans seemed to be a religious cult that put fear into the people of Salem. The extent that the Puritans had gone for the sake of religion is unbelievable....
The Puritans wanted to pray to their own church. ... One of the beliefs of the Puritans was the devil, whom they feared. Witches and the devil's servants were always battling the Puritans. ... The Puritans didn't like the way the English created new taxes, and Puritans saw this as taking away their independence. ... This is a distinguishing mark of Puritan culture. ...
Puritan child rearing practices are very diverse from modern childhood. ... The Puritans were very much a community in every way. The Puritans fundamentally lived in the community, church, and family. ... It is very imperative to try to comprehend the way the Puritans lived their lives. ... The Puritan children were educated and they did have morals and values. ...
The Puritans traveled from England to America in the early 1600s. The Puritans that founded Salem, Massachusetts left England in 1608. ... The Puritans believed in preaching not rituals. ... Puritans lived in fear of an eternity in hell, the Puritans projection of a bad life here on Earth. ... Their behavior was not at all what you would think a Puritans behavior should be. ...
Passionate Puritan laymen received savage punishments. ... The Puritans were "non-separating Congregationalists." ... Their religious principles set them apart as Puritans. ... The Puritans were not a small group of people. ... Most of the Puritans settled in the New England area. ...
All people practicing witchcraft were condemned by the Puritans. In Puritans pursued themselves to be more pure with God. ... The Puritans believed that their duty in life was to praise God. ... The Puritans learned a broad amount of right from wrong. ... Witchcraft was unacceptable to the Puritan's beliefs. ...
The Puritans also held a strong social order. ... The roles were very similar to those of the Puritans. ... Education was also important in Puritan's life. ... The Puritans were also driven by capitalism. ... The Puritans also had an impact of Individualism. ...
