Geographic development of New England Colonies and affects of Mayflower Compact - Research Paper Example

Mayflower compact and the Puritan Colonies Mayflower compact refers to the first written model of government establishedin 1960 (Kallio 4). 41 English colonists on the ship Mayflower signed the compact in 1960. The colonialists drafted the Mayflower compact to curb the disagreement that existed among Puritans and the non-separatists Pilgrims who had just arrived (Kallio 4). The compact created a “Civil Body Politic” that advocated for just and equal laws (Kallio 10). The compact remained effective until Plymouth was absorbed into Dominion of New England in 1968 as well as the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691 (Bremer 55).

The New England Colonies was a result of the lack of religious freedom in England. When the Puritans immigrated to America, they started colonies where there leaders emphasized Christianity. This group of people were referred to as Puritans since they sought to purify the churches in the New England (Pastoor 388). The authorities banned those who did not agree with them from the colonies to go and initiate their own colonies. Rapid growth of New England colonies was a result of rebels who built colonies of their own.

Currently, the New England states are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire as well as Rhode Island (Bremer55). The geographical location of the Puritans was defined as the part of America that in breath was from 40 to 48 degrees of the north latitude (Bremer 550). The location in length was across the mainland from sea to sea. Agriculture practices of the Puritans went hand in hand with the nature of the environment they lived in. The Puritans cultivated most of their food. They also began fishing and lumbering also took charge.

The soil was however thin and rocky hence they could not cultivate cash crops. Because of the nature of the soil, they believed it was a sign from God that encouraged them to work harder in their farms (Pastoor 388). They also kept dairy cattle and the geographical layout supported this economic activity. The Connecticut River valley provided water as well as pasture for the cattle (Bremer 55). The native species of grasses in the bottom and upper locations of the river grew in red sandstone soil, which was the best of soils (Bremer 55).

While religion and politics was the centre of attraction, the Puritans sough to concentrate on the higher pastures, the good soil and practical agricultural use of the same soil. The Puritans were industrious and built a strong economic base. They participated in slave trade; they made and sold iron, pots, kettles and a variety of tools in other colonies (Pastoor 388). In 1628, a group of popular Puritan business executives formed a profit-making partnership named the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay.

The government supported them as they received grants in addition to rights to trade in different areas. The businesspersons also asked for additional shielding for their venture by asking for a charter from the king. The king who initially doubted their religious views granted the charter to them. The charter was in line with the geographical nature of their location. The puritans were also the first to write books to ease communication with their offspring. Because of this, by 1700, Boston was the second largest publishing centre in the Empire.

The efforts of puritans in education helped the state develop intellectually (Pastoor 388). The puritans believed that people who did not share similar beliefs with them were outcasts hence did not deserve to mingle and live with them. Groups of people such as some Germans, Irish and French people moved to the English colonies to enjoy freedom of worship. They escaped religious prosecutions and denial of rights because of their strong Christian beliefs (Pastoor 389)Work Cited Bremer, Francis J.

The Puritan Experiment: New England Society from Bradford to Edwards. Hanover: University Press of New England, 1995. Internet resource.55Kallio, Jamie. The Mayflower Compact. , 2013. Print.Pastoor, Charles. A to Z of the Puritans. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Pub. Group, 2009. Internet resource.