- The Puritans sought to create a society founded on religious freedom.
- They viewed England as a corrupt society, and they sought to establish a new world where they could live according to their religious beliefs.
Representative Government
- The Puritans believed in representative government, with a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power.
- They established a bicameral legislature with an elected governor, a council of elders, and a body of representatives elected by the towns.
Social Welfare
- The Puritans believed that the government had a responsibility to provide social welfare to the needy.
- They established a system of public assistance, schools, and hospitals.
Education
- The Puritans believed that education was essential for the survival of their society.
- They established schools for all children and made education compulsory.
Economic Regulations
- The Puritans adopted a policy of economic regulations to ensure the common good.
- They set prices and regulated trade and industry.
Family
- The family was the basic unit of Puritan society.
- Men were expected to work and support their families, while women were expected to take care of the house and children.