Considering the history of New England, one cannot avoid mending such particular groups of people as Pilgrims, Puritans, Separatists, Antinomians, and Quakers. These groups of people were rather influential during different periods of time and contributed to the development of the settlement.
Pilgrims were the first settlers in the region. They came from Britain and being supported by England investors, they established the new colony in North America. Having become one of the most successful English settlements on the territory of America (after the Jamestown, Virginia) Pilgrims played important role in the life of the country searching for religious independence.
Pilgrims were the settlers in the North America which did not want to refuse from their religion and searched for religious freedom. Most of the Pilgrims were Puritans who supported the Reformation. Being refused in some demands in their native country, in Britain, many Puritans went to Europe and some of them settled in the North America.
Having accepted the Reformed theology, the supporters of this new religion developed the religious considerations different from those proclaimed by England church. Having stated that some of the Pilgrims it does not mean that all Pilgrims supported this idea.
Thus, the main difference between Pilgrims and Puritans is that having arrived at the new territory, Pilgrims wanted to save their relations with English church while Puritans did not want to do it and w3anted to refuse for English religion (Daniels 32). Thus, Puritans were the founders of such movements as semi-separatism and moderate Puritanism.
The Separatists were the people who separated from the Church of England and decided to choose their own way in religion. These people wanted to get rid of the impact of the Church of England. They wanted to create the independent church which was not based on the territory, but was guided by human belief. Separatists wanted to make sure that people attend church because they believe in God being sure in God’s domination over state and men.
During this time of Reformation and change Antinomians appeared. These were people who supported the idea that people are to be forgiven on the basis of Gospel and personal penitence, without intrusion of the law or another punishment (Daniels 12). God should not be connected with legal punishment as if people trust in God and the court, they are to come to penitence personally, without powerful intrusion.
It is possible to predict that Quakers were somehow created out of Antinomians, as the main idea of this religious organization is the union of those who trust in God and do not need any punishment and confirmation of this belief. Primarily, the unity was just the creation of friends who supported a number of beliefs.
First of all, they trusted in God and did not support any oaths, they believed that people are to tell the truth and no confirmation is needed. Having no strict rules and hierarchy, these people were kind and wanted just to wbjoy their faith in God who was the priority for them (Daniels 79).
Therefore, having considered the history and considerations of some of the religious groups in the New England, it is possible to say that being a small settlement this group impacted the cultural and historical development of America.
Works Cited
Daniels, Bruce C. Puritans at Play: Leisure and Recreation in Colonial New England. Palgrave Macmillan, 1996. Print.