Mokhov 1

Kathryn Mokhov

Mrs. Nix

Period 3

26 September 2023

Option Two: What can you tell about the people and time period based on the focus of the

writings? What are their major concerns, how do they perceive their place in the new world, or

the world at large? What are the values commonly held at that time?

When European colonizers first journeyed to the New World they faced many new

challenges and experiences. The New World had numerous environmental, social, and cultural

changes to which the Europeans needed to adapt to. Around three hundred fifty years ago,

settlers began to start new lives in the Americas surrounding themselves with undiscovered

lands. The tendency of the unknown brings forward fear within people, causing them to look for

ways to cope and deal with their problems. Throughout colonial documentation, many Puritans

held religious and unifying values to endure their concerns of survival, the environment, and

nature.

After arriving in the New World, the Puritans started to encounter concerns with their

colonial development. In the historical chronicle, “Of Plymouth Plantation,” William Bradford, a

Puritan leader, settles in America reporting that the colonizers “know the winters of that country

know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to

known places, much more to search an unknown coast” (p. 106). The fearful attitude the pilgrims

have towards the New World causes a disturbance for the pilgrim’s safety. Strong storms on their
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voyage and dangerous winters comprise the reasons the New World was perceived as hostile.

Because the Puritans arrived in the winter, crop growth was scarce. Without abundant food

supplies, the chances of survival were slim. With little information about their surroundings, the

Puritans did not know of resources that could help them build their settlements. Additionally,

Native Americans became a major concern for the Puritans. Subsequently, Bradford describes

previous accounts of Native Americans by stating, “these savage barbarians, when they met with

them (as after will appear) were readier to fill their sides full of arrows than otherwise” (page

106). Prior experiences of earlier explorers created a prejudice against the Native Americans.

The Indians were known to attack Europeans and lived like “savages”. The author establishes

that the Native Americans are uncivil and hope to kill outsiders. When traveling to the

Americans, the Puritans hoped to successfully develop communities, however, threatening

actions of the Native Americans generated many concerns for their well-being. To overcome

their anxiety and develop hope for their troubles, Puritans devoted their lives to God. They

looked up to Him as a savior who would guide and escort them through their colonial journey.

Moreover, unity stood as a value for the Puritans. They believed cooperation would create a

successful civilization that would serve as an example for others.

The colonial Puritans were a very religious group of people and believed that success and

security revolved around God’s divine providence. The Puritans strongly depended on God and

put all actions in account of Him. An ideology was held that the people must obey God and

follow his orders. In the sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity,” John Winthrop sets an

example for colonial Puritan life by stating, “Therefore let us choose life that wee, and our seede

may live, by obeyeing His voyce and cleaveing to Him, for Hee is our life and our

prosperity”(para. 3). Throughout the sermon, Winthrop continuously mentions God’s blessing.
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The Puritan religion puts forward individual lives towards God. Faith that destruction will

happen if people do not obey God’s voice builds pressure to follow God’s ideas. The religious

values created hope for a successful settlement and supported the Puritans to overcome their

obstacles. In the poem, “Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666,” Anne Bradstreet

analyzes the reasons for the destruction of her house remarking, “Framed by the mighty

Architect / It’s purchased and paid for too / By Him who hath enough to do”(l 43, 47-48)

Bradstreet underlines the power God holds in her everyday life. She honors Him for creating

everything around her and sees Him as a superior value in her society. Bradstreet acts grateful

for the things she is already given, abiding respect for God no matter what He does.

Additionally, in the historical chronicle “Of Plymouth Plantation,” a group of English pilgrims

set off to create a new society in North America after a tough voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

On page 104, William Bradford states, “Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to

land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the

vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof”(p. 104). The

British were very appreciative of God because they believed that God guided them through their

dangerous journey. The pilgrims trusted that God would escort them to the New World safely

without harm. When the pilgrims “fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven” this

shows the devotion they possess in their lifestyles. During the seventeenth century, many

societies relied on religion to explain and guide themselves. Directed focus toward God in

writing can explain the anchor of religion in everyday life. In this case, the goal of salvation is

knitted in Puritan principles and values.

Unification was also an immense value which Puritan societies held. Developing a

thriving colony cannot be achieved by one individual. In the sermon, “A Model of Christian
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Charity,” John Winthrop declares, “For this end, wee must be knitt together, in this worke, as

one man”(para. 1). Winthrop uses the word “knitt” to resemble union, connecting the Puritans as

one body. This emphasizes the importance and dependency the Puritans must have on each other

in order to create success within their colony. A society cannot function if people do not stand up

for each other and support one another. Additionally, when instructing what ideas Puritans

should follow, Winthrop lists, “Wee must delight in eache other; make other’s conditions our

oune; rejoice together, mourne together, labour and suffer together”(para. 1). The continuous

spotlight of the word “together” conveys the importance partnerships plays in the everyday lives

of Puritans. Empathy and care for one another are dispersed throughout the whole Puritan

community. Members must work together as a society to achieve success. In the historical

chronicle, “A Plymouth Plantation,” Puritans present agreements with the Native Americans.

stating them, Bradford proclaims, “3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he

should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. 4. If any did unjustly war

against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them”(p 106, l 146-

149). Once Puritan relationships with the Native Americans started to improve, they began to

develop peaceful interactions. When creating alliances, the Puritans mirrored their personal

values onto the Natives. The moral of helping one another during troublesome times is a standard

in Puritan communities. The way unifying ideas are reflected by the Puritans shows how deeply

they valued collaboration and the importance unity holds in their lifestyles.

All pilgrims faced issues during their adjustment to the New World. In an unknown

environment, Puritans needed to adapt to the weather and learn how to cooperate with the Native

Americans. The concerns that the Puritans had resulted in the emphasis on pronounced values in

their cultures. Religious faith was a substantial factor in the success of the Puritan colony
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because they believed that God created their success and guided them toward their achievements.

Unification of Puritans was a common standard in New World communities. Puritans stood for

the idea that they must work together in order to achieve the “perfect colony”. During

colonization, The Puritan’s overarching values steered their growing societies into becoming

prosperous in the New World.