Significance of Puritans in American History
The Puritans had a much greater effect on American history than originally intended. The Puritans' expectations when moving to New England was to separate from the Church of England and perform societal and religious reform, but in fact did much more than just that. One of the major ideas the Puritans were credited with was inventing the idea of "grandparents" and their emphasis on the Nuclear Family, the idea of a family consisting of two adults and their children, a lasting effect today. The Puritans believed that education was a necessity and enforced schools to be built in every town due to their belief that every man should be able to read the Bible for himself. Harvard College, named after a Puritan from Boston, John Harvard, was the first college in America, created by the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Although education was emphasized, Puritan lives were centered around worship which is ultimately why schools were enforced. Puritans believed in man reading the Bible for himself and not being dependent on a clergy or church to have it read to him, resulting in the law that every man must be able to read. The Puritans also believed in hard-work and righteousness, a remaining model of American work ethic. Although the Puritans lasted for only a century, they were one of the first settlers in America creating a major impact and long-lasting effect on America that to this day, certain Puritan methods and beliefs still remain.
Although education was emphasized, Puritan lives were centered around worship which is ultimately why schools were enforced. Puritans believed in man reading the Bible for himself and not being dependent on a clergy or church to have it read to him, resulting in the law that every man must be able to read. The Puritans also believed in hard-work and righteousness, a remaining model of American work ethic. Although the Puritans lasted for only a century, they were one of the first settlers in America creating a major impact and long-lasting effect on America that to this day, certain Puritan methods and beliefs still remain.