This influenced the social structure of Massachusetts in a profound way. Life was centred around the village church. In Massachusetts church meeting houses were prevalent, and these were situated in the centre of the town, within walking distance of most houses. From this we can see the importance church had in the social arrangement of Massachusetts towns. Furthermore, those who lived in these towns believed they were to be ‘Godly’. They attempted to get away from what they termed ‘Popish superstitions and worldliness’, and this influenced the way most people in Massachusetts lived. There was an enormous emphasis on Bible reading, prayer, and preaching in worship services, grace, devotion, prayer and self examination. In connection with this, Puritans believed in education, and in hard work. They wanted to live in a way which pleased God, so their towns were conducive to this. The connecting factor was the church, and fornication, adultery, sodomy and drunkenness were outlawed. All these changes were made in the name of religion, and hence the prevalent Puritanism in the area majorly affected the way Massachusetts functioned socially.
The effects of Puritanism on the politics of Massachusetts is almost as immense as the social changes. Puritans believed that the government had a duty to make people obey God’s will, so laws were made to make people attend church, and to punish drunks and adulterers. Even men who simply had long hair could be in trouble with the law because of the Puritan effects. Church and state were not separate in the eyes of the Puritans, because they believed ‘the primary purpose of government was to punish breaches of God’s law’. This meant the Massachusetts political system was one where Puritans were a majority, and in the beginning only church members were allowed to vote. This later extended to all ‘freedmen’. However, persecution was still a major issue for those who did not follow the Puritan faith. Powerful Puritans like John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony, ensured that political power was kept in the hands of the Puritans, and that the government ensured the continuation of a Puritan faith in the colonies. It was also important that the Massachusetts government reflected the beliefs of Puritans. Puritans believed that all social relationships were envisioned in terms of a covenant, or contract, which rested on consent and mutual responsibility. This influenced the way their government worked, so much so that ‘government itself rested on consent’. This meant that in Massachusetts, a lot of individual power was given to freedmen or members of the Church, as well as smaller towns within the whole of Massachusetts, although there was also a governor and legislative assembly which made the most important decisions. This principle of consent led to a great emphasis on a ‘limited’ or ‘constitutional monarchy’ within the colony of Massachusetts, and also gave rise to the development of modern American democratic principles. Hence, the political structure of colonial Massachusetts was very distinct, rising from the Puritanism which was prevalent among its founders.
Ultimately, the social and political structure of Massachusetts was largely formed as a result of its Puritan founding fathers, and this influenced the government of the colony.
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