The main factor that controlled the lives of New Englanders in the pre-revolutionary period was religion. Religion controlled the daily lives, beliefs, and government of the people who lived in New England. The Puritans of the New England colonies based their entire life on religion; they even settled the colonies on the basis of religion (Fiske 15).

During the reign of King Charles I, the Puritans decided that the only way to find the religious environment they were seeking was to move to America. The result was the Massachusetts Bay colony, which was started from scratch on the foundation of religion (Fiske 3). Only the theologically accepted were allowed to enter the colony. By 1640, more then 20,000 home seekers had sailed into the harbors of Mass. Bay and within the first 10 years 65 preachers had arrived. The King was the most astounded by the growing prosperity of the colony and decided to...