How did the Puritans affect the development of the New England Colonies?

by absurd_hero

Question by Katy <3: How did the Puritans affect the development of the New England Colonies?

I have to write a few sentences on how Puritianism affected the development of the New England Colonies, and how Quakerism affected the Middle Colonies, do you know any links to websites that can help me answer this or any answers to these?




Best answer:

Answer by Nyte
I can just tell you, and it's100% historically accurate.

Puritans were very intolerant to other religions. So when they established the Mass. Bay Colony in 1629, it was a strictly religious commonwealth. Only the converted Puritans (there dubbed Congregationalists) had any rights. They were called "visible saints" and the males were able to vote and even hold public discussions and debates. HOWEVER, other religious groups such as the Quakers were harshly persecuted with fines, floggings, and even in some cases DEATH! So the religious dissenters fled the colony; or were exiled.
Such radical non-Puritan official, Roger Williams, was banished, and created the colony of Rhode Island, which became the most democratic and independent New England colony where the seeds of democracy were planted.
As for the liberal-minded Quakers, William Penn created the Pennsylvania colony as their asylum. However, it sheltered not only the Quakers, but everyone, of any religion! Almost everyone had rights, except Jews Catholics could not vote because of London's decision. But STILL it was the most democratic middle colony, and it inspired the democratic policies in other middle colonies such as Delaware, NJ, (both where populated by Quakers) and NY!

What do you think? Answer below!