The Puritans purpose of coming to America was for refuge (Brands, 56). They wanted religious freedom. They wanted “peace” and “prosperity.” The Puritans did not have a political form of government, they had a church government. It is known as Congregationalism. Each village church was independent from outside interference (Brands, 45). There were no bishops and the “people were the church (Brands, 45).” The colonists were not forced to be members, but only full members could vote for the minister (Brands, 45). Congregationalism can also be considered a theocracy. In a Theocracy, the people are lead by divine guidance. The government leaders in a Theocracy are members of the clergy. To go along with all of the leaders being a part of the church, the legal system was based on laws found in the Bible (“Theocracy,” 2014). The initial correspondence between the colonists and the Native Americans was friendly. The interaction with the Native Americans began as a mutual trading relationship. The Native Americans highly valued trade and linked trade to friendship. They traded food, clothing, and shelter for metal tools, such as knives, axes, weapons, and fish hooks. The colonists also traded for knowledge. The Native Americans taught the colonists how to be self sufficient (“Colonial-Indian Relations,”
The Puritans purpose of coming to America was for refuge (Brands, 56). They wanted religious freedom. They wanted “peace” and “prosperity.” The Puritans did not have a political form of government, they had a church government. It is known as Congregationalism. Each village church was independent from outside interference (Brands, 45). There were no bishops and the “people were the church (Brands, 45).” The colonists were not forced to be members, but only full members could vote for the minister (Brands, 45). Congregationalism can also be considered a theocracy. In a Theocracy, the people are lead by divine guidance. The government leaders in a Theocracy are members of the clergy. To go along with all of the leaders being a part of the church, the legal system was based on laws found in the Bible (“Theocracy,” 2014). The initial correspondence between the colonists and the Native Americans was friendly. The interaction with the Native Americans began as a mutual trading relationship. The Native Americans highly valued trade and linked trade to friendship. They traded food, clothing, and shelter for metal tools, such as knives, axes, weapons, and fish hooks. The colonists also traded for knowledge. The Native Americans taught the colonists how to be self sufficient (“Colonial-Indian Relations,”