New England Colonies Dbq Analysis
England in the 1620s was filled with tension between the Puritans and King James I and his son Charles I. Their primary goal for their country was to revive Roman Catholicism and rid of any religions that would not conform; so, they mainly targeted Puritans. This intolerance motivated the Puritans to pursue their economic interests (which later turned into religious interests) and establish a place for themselves in the New England colonies in 1630. What they originally intended was to create a colony in which they could practice their religion freely. They did not think of accepting others. Eventually, their society became just as strict as English society: their political, social, and economic advancements were structured and very much parochial.
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John Winthrop, the man who set this goal for the Puritans, used God as a way to form a close-knit society. Winthrop felt that closeness in a community was very important in order to work closely together. (Doc A) Since God was so influential in this situation, then it must have been important for Him to be a bigger part of their society: their government. This led to the development of a theocracy. The “closeness” that Winthrop spoke of was very true in the theocratic government, because ministers were protected, and the church members worked closely with each other. Together, they placed harsh requirements upon the people of Puritan New England. They had to attend church services, pay taxes to support the church, and were therefore bound to the church not just through religion, but also through the government. Their loyalty was also expected by the church. The people could in no form offend the church, they promised to study the gospels, spread their knowledge of Him to their children, and most importantly, acknowledged His power: “…and all this not by any strength of our own, but by the Lord Christ” (Doc C). Because it was assumed that any material success by the people
John Winthrop, the man who set this goal for the Puritans, used God as a way to form a close-knit society. Winthrop felt that closeness in a community was very important in order to work closely together. (Doc A) Since God was so influential in this situation, then it must have been important for Him to be a bigger part of their society: their government. This led to the development of a theocracy. The “closeness” that Winthrop spoke of was very true in the theocratic government, because ministers were protected, and the church members worked closely with each other. Together, they placed harsh requirements upon the people of Puritan New England. They had to attend church services, pay taxes to support the church, and were therefore bound to the church not just through religion, but also through the government. Their loyalty was also expected by the church. The people could in no form offend the church, they promised to study the gospels, spread their knowledge of Him to their children, and most importantly, acknowledged His power: “…and all this not by any strength of our own, but by the Lord Christ” (Doc C). Because it was assumed that any material success by the people