Colonial Massachusetts
Colonial Massachusetts was still similar to England in its religious views although the United States declared independence. The Puritans who found Massachusetts, under John Winthrop, were still partly loyal to the Church of England and Parliament although they did not agree with their religious ceremonies. Many people think the Puritans left England in 1630 for religious freedom and to stop religious persecution, but they really just wanted a place to build churches and spread their own religion. The Puritans also did not agree with the Quakers’ religious practices. They fought often and the Quakers constantly argued with the Puritans. After whipping, fining, banishing, and even killing the Quakers they finally stopped bothering the Puritans. These Puritans also disagreed with the Native Americans, which resulted in many wars especially a great war against King Phillip early in history.
At first, Massachusetts or “The Bay Colony” was a private company; they enforced their own government. Their government included a governor, a deputy governor, assistants, and deputies. As a Puritan theocracy, or a government based on Puritan beliefs, people involved in the church served as government leaders. With a government based on religion, laws became more related to church than to public safety. For instance, law forced education for children in ministry and scripture. Most Puritans were farmers, although a merchant class soon developed. They lived in villages that focused on the common, where the meetinghouse was. Village life was mostly focused on religion. With the meetinghouse in the center of town, everyone was able to attend the Pastor’s long Sabbath services. This meetinghouse was also used for the government as they held town meetings there, the American democracy foundation.
By: Jackie
At first, Massachusetts or “The Bay Colony” was a private company; they enforced their own government. Their government included a governor, a deputy governor, assistants, and deputies. As a Puritan theocracy, or a government based on Puritan beliefs, people involved in the church served as government leaders. With a government based on religion, laws became more related to church than to public safety. For instance, law forced education for children in ministry and scripture. Most Puritans were farmers, although a merchant class soon developed. They lived in villages that focused on the common, where the meetinghouse was. Village life was mostly focused on religion. With the meetinghouse in the center of town, everyone was able to attend the Pastor’s long Sabbath services. This meetinghouse was also used for the government as they held town meetings there, the American democracy foundation.
By: Jackie
To read more about colonial America and primary sources from that time, go to this link:
http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/primarysources.html
http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/primarysources.html