First of all it should be stated, that the key principle of Puritanism is God’s highest power over human matters, chiefly in the church, and particularly as stated in the Bible.
On the personal extent, the Puritans highlighted that every person should be repeatedly changed by the grace of God to struggle against sin and perform what is right. A modest and respectful life would happen for every Christian.
Puritan notable beliefs entail:
- An importance of private study of the Holy Bible.
- A wish to see education for the masses (for they could read the Bible).
- Ease in adoration, the prohibiting of vestments, icons, etc.
Talking on the matters of modifications and reformations of Puritan views, it should be stated, that there were two main divisions: the views by William Bradford and by John Winthrop.
William Bradford was involved to the “primitive” congregational church at an early age, and turned to be a committed partaker of what was named a “Separatist” church, as the church-members had wished to get detached from the Traditional Puritan Church. By contrast, the Puritans wished to get rid of impurities in the Church of England. The Separatists felt the Church was beyond salvation due to unbiblical principles and educations.
Winthrop, on the other hand, was extremely religious and pledged passionately to the Puritan belief that the Anglican Church had to be liberated of Catholic ritual. Winthrop was persuaded that God would reprimand England for its deviation, and thought that English Puritans required a shelter away from England where they could stay safe for the time of God’s anger.
The independence war appeared on the backdrop of the strong Americans’ wish to get rid of British colonialism on North American territories. Three years later, after the beginning of the war, the British army controlled the southern colonies. However, their armed forces and navy were harshly exhausted. They just could not hold fast much longer. On September 28, 1781, the British fleet was surrounded and overwhelmed at Yorktown, by French and American army ruled by General George Washington. British forces under Charles Cornwallis were made give. Thus colonists had won their independence.
But if the British ever had a joint strategic aim in the war, the occasions could have turned otherwise. The British considered they could divide New England, regarded to be the key center of the revolt, from the more impressionable colonies to the southward. Howe offered to make this the central objective of his plan in 1776 by basing in New York, securing a stand of actions there, and then approaching north. He wished to concentrate the entire British force in New York, but the British Government redirected part of it to Canada. Thus, the British forces were defeated, as the absence of centered command led to serious tactic and strategic mistakes
Two central turning points in the war happened in 1777 and 1778. On October 7, 1777, the colonists achieved an essential victory over British army at Saratoga, New York. Then, on February 6, 1778, the colonists concluded a Treaty of Alliance with France. Consequently of the treaty, the French concurred to supply warriors, generals and arms to the migrants in the fight for sovereignty.
The reasons why Americans win are numerous. But if let all the military affairs alone, it should be stated, that the following reasons helped Americans:
- Strong will to victory.
- National unity and solidarity.
- Strong conviction in righteousness.