Puritanism

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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around Calvinistic teachings and social virtue, yet a number of their cultural ideas and laws would be considered quite outdated by today’s standards.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. The church and the law were technically...