Puritans’ Ideals
Socio-cultural aspects of the history of American society in the XVII century were associated with the ideas of Puritanism that became widespread in North America. A socio-cultural situation was characterized by the new types of understanding and the ways of transforming reality that occurred through the prism of Puritan ideas. According to Corbett et al., this movement was based on the traditional and medieval strategy and tactics associated with the ideals of a patriarchal family (44).
The Puritans placed emphasis on the spiritual freedom of humans and divine predestination. Initially, when establishing their colony, they signed an agreement to obey the laws for the benefit of their lives. The Puritans revered jeremiads as significant theological works where they glorified prophetic ideas. The ideals of Puritanism were the freedom of religion and thinking, but it was sharply limited in relation to family values, morality, and ethics. For many years, Puritans managed to preserve orthodox ideas in their community and suppress dissent (Corbett et al. 83). Nevertheless, the existing contradiction was reflected in the struggle of women who tried to revise conservative family traditions, and problems arose with the previously signed agreement.
The fight against social pressure became one of the main ideas of the Englishwoman Anne Hutchinson who emigrated to America with her family due to conflicts with the church (Corbett et al. 83). Her ideas of antinomianism were widely publicized, and many people were inclined to rethink religious dogmas. Certainly, reactions to such views followed, and the rebel appeared in court. However, Hutchinson’s ideas inspired many women to reconsider their attitudes toward the Puritan church. They found responses in the society of like-minded people who, supporting the expulsion of their ideologue from the colony, followed her, and subsequent generations of children were not the ardent supporters of the Puritanism.
Colonization Issues
The ambiguity of the British supreme governing system during the period of American colonization and, in particular, the characteristics of the monarchical system led to resistance and opposition to monarchical England. In its form, the constitution of Britain was mixed because it was a set of statutory rights, precedents, and agreements (Corbett et al. 130). King and both Houses (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) were involved in the formation of legislation, and each of the parties had their own powers and responsibilities. The danger of this system was that the supreme ruler had the greatest freedoms, which gave him an opportunity to control all the decisions made.
The concern of the American colonists that the English monarch could become a robinarch was justified. Historically, this term characterized a ruler who usurped power and acted not for the good of the state but for the sake of achieving personal selfish goals. As a means of countering the robinarch, American colonists were to find appropriate support from the ruling elites and prevent the country’s treasury from wasting and the complete collapse of power.
In 1765, the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act to partially cover the cost of maintaining the British army in the North American colonies (Corbett et al. 130). The tax was collected through the obligatory purchase of stamps from special agents. The Stamp Act provoked mass discontent of North Americans, which was accompanied by riots, attacks on the homes of colonial officials and agents, and the boycott of the British goods.
In the course of the struggle against the Act, colonies began to coordinate actions to defend their interests. The first patriotic revolutionary organizations arose, and the methods of action were found that influenced the formation of the liberation movement (Corbett et al. 134). In an effort to prevent the further aggravation of the situation, the British authorities abolished the Act in 1766 (Corbett et al. 134). Subsequently, relevant agreements on the importation of goods were signed, and the petitions of redress were a guarantee of continued trade.
Work Cited
Corbett, Scott P., et al. U.S. History. OpenStax, 2014.