Puritans Influence In the Development of New England

Did you know that the puritans were some of first Europeans to settle in America?The puritans were a group of English speaking protestants in the 16th and 17th century. They left England to come to the Americas in search of gaining religious freedom! They had a lot of different ideas then of the people and king of England.They influenced the New England colonies in not just building structures but also in politics, economy, and social development.

The puritans lifestyle was very strict! The men where in charge of the wife and children. The wifes had to clean, make food and serve their husbands and do whatever it is they ask of them . The wifes had to be completely devoted to their husbands if not they would be accused of adultery, for example the Scarlet Letter. The girls had to help the mom clean and knit while the boys where put to work out doors. All children had to learn to read so that they could read and understand their holy book.They weren't allowed to have fun or celebrate birthdays.Their lives were very religion oriented.When it came to religion , the puritans believed that going to church was a must! The Puritans considered the Bible as the true law of God that gave guidelines and those who did not attend the sabbath meeting were accused of worshiping the devil! If you were accused of being a witch you would be associated with the devil and investigated. No matter if you were innocent or guilty, you would be punished and sentenced to death.

Back in the times of the puritans being wealthy was not a good thing, everyone was middle class. They thought that wealth would make the people put god in second place.John Cotton said,"Let all the world learn to give mortal man no greater power than they are content that they shall use- for use it they will. And unless they be better taught of God, they will use it ever and anon...." they did not focus much on materialistic things they cared about god and family! they helped each other out and they all acted as one.

New England was the first to establish a democracy because they believed they could all be considered as one. In John Cotton, “Limitation of Government,” 1655. he says"most wholesome for magistrates and officers in church and commonwealth

never to affect more liberty and authority than will do them good, and the people good:

for whatever transcendent power is given will certainly overrun those that give it and

those that receive it. . . .". and"fundamentally all power lies, to give as much power as God in His word gives to men. . "they thought if you handed someone the power it would go to their heads so they had town meetings and their they would yearly choose who would be the next town leader. Only men older then 21 and who owned land could vote.

The Puritans developed a foundation for our modern America! If it wasn't for the puritans we wouldn't have the advantages we now have, like a democracy .They also established , in my opinion, the greatest Universities In America, Harvard and Yale. Puritans left a mark in the world not just the New England Colonies .Weather good or bad and will keep inspiring us for many generations to come!