The Sociological History Of Boston Massachusetts As It Relates To Work And Culture
...the unofficial capital of the New England area, and one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most expensive places in the country to live. Its citizens are known as "Bostonians" and their city is home to the nations first school, first college, and has been called "The Athens of America" for its great intellectual and cultural influence and "The Cradle of Liberty" for its role in instigating the American Revolution. The city of Boston has played a huge part in our nation's history and development. However, an exploration of the checkered history of the city itself will be necessary before it is related to the structure of the nation as a whole.
Boston was first settled by an eccentric Anglican reverend and hermit, William Blaxton, also spelled Blackstone. He lived on the Shawmut peninsula for about 5 years before, weary of his solitude, he rowed across the Charles River in August of 1630 and invited the Puritan settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to join him and settle there. They were quick to accept as their previous choices, the sites of present Charlestown and Salem, were insufficient. The city was named Boston by the 700 or so Puritan settlers. (Jennings, 15)
John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony gave a speech to his puritans commonly called the "city upon a hill" speech. Boston, which is where the Puritans settled, still bears this nickname. It is also said that city upon a hill refers to the area's original three geographical hills, but this would be impossible, as many now believe that the speech was given before the Puritans left England. In any case it inspired the Puritans with a sense of holy duty that would be crucial if they wanted to increase their chances of survival in the New World. The speech basically outlined that the Puritan's settlement would be ordained by God. In order to avoid incurring God's wrath,...
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