Puritans
Puritans started to arrive in the New England area during the 1600's. They specifically settles in the areas around Boston. Unlike other people coming to settle in New England, the Puritans came to create a more pure and Christian based society; they did not come for economic purposes. The Puritans wanted a theocratic society, or a government run by religious beliefs. By creating their Christian based society in this way, their ideas and values of the political, economic, and social developments influenced the New England colonies from 1630 to 1660. The Puritans politically developed New England by basing their political structure on a theocratic type of government. In Document A, John Winthrop describes an ideal Puritan society, by saying all members of society must love and help each other, and become one. Because of this, there were strict moral codes and laws that the Puritans enforced, and these were seen as "God's law". New England's political development revolved around the establishment of these moral codes and laws being more important than anything else. For example, Anne Hutchinson was banished for challenging the ministers and claiming to have direct revelations with God. Another example of this extreme importance of religion is the banishing of Roger Williams. "God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state..." (Doc F). Roger Williams wanted more religious tolerance but this challenged the Puritan leaders, and for this he was banished. Later Roger Williams went on to found the colony of Rhode Island as almost a 'safe zone' for other religions. As for political development, because of the Puritan's strict beliefs and strong punishments, other religions developed in New England. The Puritan leaders did not like religious freedom. "He that is willing to tolerate any religion...besides his own...either doubts of his own or is not sincere in it..." (Doc G). Nathaniel Ward, along with