New England Colonies Dbq

Words: 954
Pages: 4

Puritans influenced the political, economic, and social development of the New England colonies from 1630 through the 1660s greatly. After emigrating from Britain, the Puritans helped in the founding of most of the colonies and their values shaped the growth of the colonies in various ways. Politically, the Puritans encouraged unity, and loyalty to one another and believed the power should be derived from the people. Economically, everyone in the community must work together as one for the better of the community. Socially, Puritan ideals emphasized on community, religion, and church. Because of the Puritan influence, the New England colonies were significantly influenced in the political, economic and social development throughout the mid-1600s. …show more content…
The Puritans believed that the government’s power should be derived from the people and they established a democratic system of government, but some like John Cotton believed that God limits the authority given to man. “…and for the people, in whom fundamentally all power lies, to give as much power as God in His word gives to men. . . .” said John Cotton. [Doc. H] Also, the idea of union and loyalty to a government and to one another shaped the development. “…wee must be knit together, in this worke, as one man…Wee must delight in eache other; make other’s conditions our owne…” as said by John Winthrop. [Doc. A] The ideals of Puritans also had an effect on the religious approach in the New England colonies. “In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church…both in regard of those that are within or without [church membership]… We do hereby promise to carry our selves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us, in Church or Commonwealth…” [Doc. C] as stated in the Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636. The Puritans believed that God wanted them to abide to the laws enforced by church and state. Their loyalty to the church and government and their laws helped mend the New England colonies, and then later contributed to the beginning of the American Revolution. Therefore, it’s evident that the establishment of the New England colonies was affected by the Puritan