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Puritans In New England

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New England’s foundation was built by the settlers who had came there to seek new opportunities and find religious freedom. Puritans were among the first of many to settle in the New England regions, and they brought with them their ideas and values. For the Puritans, life revolved around religion, and their religious beliefs influenced how they viewed politics, the economy, and the social aspects of their lives. Politically, the Puritans believed in liberty and that every man is equal if they put forth labor and hard work. Governmental ideas and values that were brought to New England by the Puritans came from England, which was one of the only government styles they knew. Those who worked hard and cared about the community as a whole were …show more content…
Considering that the Puritans had come to New England for freedom, the idea of liberty was what they felt needed to be brought forth in their government. As John Winthrop had said in 1630 regarding this matter, “wee must uphold familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentlenes, patience and liberality” (Document A). Winthrop had been speaking of a model of what a good Christian should follow, and he had been referring to the Puritans indirectly. Puritans understood that liberty had to be included in their government and way of life because it was important to them. While liberty was important, religion was even more so, and the Puritan people’s lives were centered around their religious beliefs. Furthermore, religion played a role in their governmental style. The Enlarged Salem Covenant had said, “we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church” (Document C). This idea was upheld by most Puritans and following this rule was vital to their comfort. Another piece of information that played a role in the political values of Puritans was this statement by Nathaniel Ward, “that state will give liberty of conscience in matters of religion” (Document G). Although this belief of Ward was not accepted by every Puritan, many did feel that if Christianity was important to the Puritans, then religious beliefs of others may be …show more content…
Due to the circumstances the Puritans had been in when coming to New England, education was not able to be as important as many had wished, although, it was still valued highly. One document is a statement about education in New England in 1643, and it says, “One of the things we longed for, and looked after was to advance Learning” (Document E). This statement proves that education was still something that Puritans valued and strived to maintain. Due to their religion, the Puritan people would include church and other religious functions into their everyday lives. Often, education and religion were thought of as similar because one could educate themselves through gospel. As this source had explained, “We bind our selves to study the advancement of the gospel” (Document C). Overall, the Puritans believed that education, religion, and working for the good of the community were vital to the function of their settlements.
The Puritan values and ideas set the foundation of New England due to their early settlement in that region. Puritans brought their political, economic, and social developments to New England, which set an example for those who followed them to this new land. Moreover, the key values of the Puritan people revolved around their religion that had brought them to New England in the first place. Freedom, education, and working

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