The Effects of Religion on the New World

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Since the day Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean, religion and commerce has played a major role in shaping the New World. Religion defines cultures, changes history, and molds civilizations. During the seventeenth century in the New England and Southern colonies religion influenced colonists lives. Although the majority of settlers bound for the colonies started in Europe, religion and commerce would lead them in different directions. The New England colonies became defined by their religion, while the Southern colonies were defined by their production of tobacco.

Religion was influential in creating the different social aspects in the New England and Southern colonies. The Pilgrims in 1620 were the first colonists in the New England area (Roark 107). They were Separatists from England, who believed the Church of England was corrupt and helpless. In 1630 the Massachusetts Bay colony was established by John Winthrop and 700 of his Puritan followers. Who had left England to lead a move pious life (Roark 108). Their goal was used to set a shinning example of godliness for the people of England. The colonists conviction to their goal was so strong they made a covenant between one another and god Their determination attracted thousands of new settlers. They were comprised mostly of middle class families, as well as a large number of Puritan ministers. The colony had the highest ratio of preachers to population in all of the Christian Community (Roark 110). They believed in the idea of hierarchy and mutual dependence on each other. Their strong religious beliefs, commitment to family and their sense of community defined the social orders of colony. The Southern Colony in Jamestown Virginia was established when the Virginia...

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...functionality. The New England colony had extremely strong religious ties that showed in the way in which their community developed. The Southern colonies had far less religious influence their main attraction was to the major production of tobacco and other crops. The presence of the English government differed between the two colonies as well. The New England colonies stayed very independent of the King of England. The Southern colonies had far more influence since King James made Virginia a royal colony. Religion has always been extremely vital in the way in which civilizations develop whether it is the presence of religion or the lack there of.

Works Cited

Roark, James L., Johnson,Cohen, Stage, Lawson, Hartmann. The American Promise . Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005.

Winthrop, John. “Liberty is the proper end and object of authority”. Our Nations Archive .

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