Civil War
...learned. The Puritan colony in Massachusetts Bay, the conflict in the colony that led to the establishment of Rhode Island, the French and Indian War, the move west, and the Civil war are all key things and should be understood by all American residents.
Puritans
The Puritans held strong beliefs concerning their faith as well as their purpose in building a new community in a new world. The Puritans believed that Massachusetts Bay Colony was to be a holy mission. They were going to show the world how to lead a godly life. Puritans further believed that only by God's grace could someone be saved. Additionally, the colonists believed that they had entered into a contract with God; they were the new Israelites. Subsequently, the New England Puritans believed that it was necessary to have a conversion experience in order to receive God's grace. These views and high standards the Puritans held themselves and others to eventually caused conflict within the colony (Kennedy 46).
"The Massachusetts Bay enterprise was singularly blessed" (Kennedy 46). Eleven ships landed in Massachusetts Bay, starting the colony with thousands of settlers. As religious turmoil continued in Britain, more and more puritans traveled across the ocean to begin a new life in North America. Many prosperous merchants and people of the middling classes immigrated to Massachusetts Bay. Chief among these people was John Winthrop. Winthrop served as the colonial governor for nineteen years; during his tenure Winthrop was instrumental in establishing Massachusetts as a trading post and commercial center (Kennedy 46).
Thanks to the Massachusetts Bay colony and the Puritans, we have a strong ideology concerning free men and political participation. The Massachusetts Bay colony enfranchised all adult men who belonged to the Anglican Church and owned property. The town meeting ensured...
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