Life in the New England Colonies

The American elbow room of life has changed doneout the centuries. Our views of life have changed dramatically in m either another(prenominal) centerings. History has changed the way we look at American think ofs in general. Such things as our drive for hard work and value of genteelness have evolved from specific types of people during the growth of this great nation. But who were these abstruse people that so drastically changed the way we think today? These marvelous people were called puritans and settled in the New England colonies. They ran their society with a steady hand, and valued their land.When it came to work and pedagogics they put forth 110% effort. The puritan values have been carried through the centuries and atomic number 18 still alive and iron boot today. In todays society hard work holds as much of an importance as it did during the puritan quantifys. We hold this American value in lofty regard when it comes to most things. The puritans viewed hard work as a necessity to survive. We know this partly by the fact that both(prenominal) where around 80% of the puritans were farmers and in order to keep up a good farm you must put your nose to the grindstone.As time has evolved the American views it has been reluctant to change this one. After all if you let any slack out in todays society you ar likely to be replaced. And therefore we always strive to be the best, this in return forces us to work harder day by day. The puritans viewed materialist things much the way we do today. What this means is that in America today you are judged by what you have and the way you look. If you are dressed like a dispossessed person going in for a job interview, your never gonna outwit the job no matter what qualifications you have.See in todays society you are judged by what is on the outside instead of what is in the inside. The puritans were much this way about land. As we listen in the Crucible Mr. Proctor is accused of making false acc usations so that he may buy the land of the people that are on their way to jail. It might be argued that the land was the main source of lucre during these times, however it also was a sign of how important you were to God. If you had 300 earth of land you were considered one of Gods chosen few.In the Crucible we also see to it that Reverend Parris asks for golden candlesticks to place in the church. Now one may not forget that the church was nothing more than a baffle up old shack, far from any of the Cathedrals of today. They would do anything to be viewed as being closer to God much way we would do anything to dedicate people like us and accepts us. From the time of the puritans to generation-X pedagogy has always been a important value. Although some today view train as another place for teens to kick back and just prattle to each other.Most however are in school to do more than just learn, they are there to succeed. 97% of all high school students have plans for a hig her learning in college. And where are the best colleges located? Most are located on the eastern Coast. Such schools as Harvard and Yale were founded by our strict ancestors, the puritans. They viewed education as a tool. With it you will succeed. Who knows, back then with a good education you might end up in office. In fact legion(predicate) great men attended school on the East Coast. doubting Thomas Jefferson for instance attended Harvard.The tradition of a great education has survived through the passing years and will most likely live on. determine of such people as the puritans have go along on in the world today and have changed the course of history, as we know it. Education, hard work, and materialism are just three of the many influences that have been handed down from our great ancestors. However, the question still at hand is Have these values, that have been handed down to us so generously, been for the better or the worse? This is one question I tone of voice mus t be answered by ones heart. It is after all, a matter of opinion.