An analysis of the topic of the puritan influences on the development of american colonial society

According to one expert, Judeo-Christian faith was in the "ascension rather than the declension"; another sees a "rising vitality in religious life" from onward; a third finds religion in many parts of the colonies in a state of "feverish growth.

In this, Winthrop states that it is vital for a man to put inference on Christians over nonbelievers, and that Christians should then rise above the levels of judgment and "do good to all" in the act of faith. By the s, they had spread into what was interpreted as a general outpouring of the Spirit that bathed the American colonies, England, Wales, and Scotland.

Oxford University Press, In addition to this more general notion about Puritan culture in early America, Winthrop brings forth the question of what true liberty means. Churches reflected the customs and traditions as well as the wealth and social status of the denominations that built them.

Individuals, not the government, would define religious faith and practice in the United States. There was never a bishop in colonial Virginia, and in practice the local vestry consisted of laymen who controlled the parish and handled local taxes, roads and poor relief.

When the elected assembly, the House of Burgesseswas established init enacted religious laws that made Virginia a bastion of Anglicanism. Excerpts from John Winthrop Winthrop was a leading Puritan writer and thinker.

Since God was an all knowing and powerful force the puritans saw their wealth as a gift from God and a sign that they were correct.

According to Frank LambertProfessor of History at Purdue Universitythe assurances in Article 11 were "intended to allay the fears of the Muslim state by insisting that religion would not govern how the treaty was interpreted and enforced.

His son Lord Baltimorewas a Catholic who inherited the grant for Maryland from his father and was in charge — After the Glorious Revolution of in England, the Church of England was legally established in the colony and English penal laws, which deprived Catholics of the right to vote, hold office, or worship publicly, were enforced.

In addition to this more general notion about Puritan culture in early America, Winthrop brings forth the question of what true liberty means. Although many of the thoughts of Puritans have gradually dissipated or become less meaningful over time, it is important to note that Puritan writers and thinkers such as John Winthrop and Roger Williams offered ideas that were new at the time that stayed with the American consciousness—culturally, socially, and politically.

Only members of the church, which were limited to a select few, made decisions for the community. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen [ Muslims ],—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan [ Mohammedan ] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

The idea of government and the meaning of liberty have been questions plaguing Americans since the time John Winthrop wrote in his journal in After a successful rebellion against the motherland, America became the United States, a nation.

For a description of the oral and written literatures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, see Native American literature.

Maryland's first state constitution in restored the freedom of religion. He writes, "the former propounds one man to another, as the same flesh and image of God, this as a brother in Christ also, and in the communion of the same spirit and so teaches us to put a difference between Christians and others.

Methodists[ edit ] Methodist missionaries were also active in the late colonial period. The new style of sermons and the way people practiced their faith breathed new life into Christian faith in America.

Canadian literature in English. The ruling Anglican church disapproved of Puritan beliefs and persecuted the Puritans. In the Middle and Southern colonies, especially in the "Backcountry" regions, the Awakening was influential among Presbyterians.

In the South Baptist and Methodist preachers converted both whites and enslaved blacks. This consecration prayer moved the eucharistic doctrine of the American Church much closer to the Roman Catholic and Orthodox teachings and virtually undid Cranmer's rejection of the eucharist as a material sacrifice offered to God which had been the accepted theology from the early 3rd century.

The Book of Common Prayer offered prayers for the monarch, beseeching God "to be his defender and keeper, giving him victory over all his enemies," who in were American soldiers as well as friends and neighbors of American parishioners of the Church of England.

By using the intentions of God in his statement, Williams is saying that there is no one religion that should be mandated. Much of the Puritan influence remains in all aspects of the American development.

Most significantly was the practice of religion, but the Puritans accomplished more than merely demanding worship and prayer. The Influence of Puritanism on American Literature Essay; The Influence of Puritanism on American Literature Essay. Words Feb 15th, 5 Pages.

Show More. Puritanism was one of the most enduring and shaping influences in American thought and American literature. Oct 02,  · The American Dream: Colonial Period The colonial period gave birth to an idea that would go on to cultivate itself into the minds of all people.

Regardless of race, religion, or gender, the American Dream became an embodiment of the goals set forth in society for all individuals. Free Response Essay #1 (question #2) The New England and the Chesapeake development of colonial society were greatly shaped by the social and economical ways prior to The New England society was shaped socially by the Half-way covenant, Roger Williams, and by the Salem witch trials.

Quakers--The Society of Friends, or Quakers, was an offshoot in England of the Puritans.

Their penchant for trembling in awe is thought to derive from the years founder George Fox spent locked in dungeons. Puritan Influence in Colonial America Puritan ideas and values greatly influenced the political, social, and economic developement of the New England Colonies in many ways between and the s.

An analysis of the topic of the puritan influences on the development of american colonial society