By Patrick Fendrick
The Beginning
In order to understand the Boston Harbor’s history, one must first start with how it came to be. Very religiously motivated Puritans gained control of the Massachusetts Bay Company and used their charter to found the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.6 These Puritan merchants were looking to escape persecution and for more opportunities. Initially the colony was founded as a religious refuge for devout Puritans and not as a part of a separatist movement by the Puritans.1 In doing this Puritanism became the official religion of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and became a major, but not mandatory, prerequisite to having the right to vote on many decisions.10 This decidedly religious stance led to the persecution of non-Puritans by Puritans, which was similar to why the Puritans left England in the first place. Further the non-separation of church and state continued until England instituted the navigation acts of 1660 and 1663 in order to control the colony’s exports and imports.10 The Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony did not follow these restrictions however, which led to England taking over the colony for the first time and instituting a whole new governmental leadership. The people of the Massachusetts Bay Colony successfully revolted against the English appointed leader and reestablished themselves as Massachusetts, except with a separation of church and state.10 Therefore, even in its infancy the people of Massachusetts were not afraid to announce their independence from England by disregarding English taxes and overthrowing an English government.
In order to understand the Boston Harbor’s history, one must first start with how it came to be. Very religiously motivated Puritans gained control of the Massachusetts Bay Company and used their charter to found the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.6 These Puritan merchants were looking to escape persecution and for more opportunities. Initially the colony was founded as a religious refuge for devout Puritans and not as a part of a separatist movement by the Puritans.1 In doing this Puritanism became the official religion of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and became a major, but not mandatory, prerequisite to having the right to vote on many decisions.10 This decidedly religious stance led to the persecution of non-Puritans by Puritans, which was similar to why the Puritans left England in the first place. Further the non-separation of church and state continued until England instituted the navigation acts of 1660 and 1663 in order to control the colony’s exports and imports.10 The Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony did not follow these restrictions however, which led to England taking over the colony for the first time and instituting a whole new governmental leadership. The people of the Massachusetts Bay Colony successfully revolted against the English appointed leader and reestablished themselves as Massachusetts, except with a separation of church and state.10 Therefore, even in its infancy the people of Massachusetts were not afraid to announce their independence from England by disregarding English taxes and overthrowing an English government.
Boston's Legacy
Throughout history Boston has always been a place of political importance from the rebellions and the beginnings of a new nation to a present day life and death decision. Unlike the Kennecott mines, which simply dissolved after its economic use was up, whenever Boston has appeared to be suffering or dying down, it always found a way to bring itself back together and move into the next phase of its existence.5 With that in mind, whether one zooms in on a specific topic or looks at the whole scope, Boston has been relevant and important not just throughout the United States of America’s history but the world’s as well. Therefore Boston’s place in the political history of the world is secure because even as recently as today, the political events that unfold in Boston carry national and worldwide interest.
Throughout history Boston has always been a place of political importance from the rebellions and the beginnings of a new nation to a present day life and death decision. Unlike the Kennecott mines, which simply dissolved after its economic use was up, whenever Boston has appeared to be suffering or dying down, it always found a way to bring itself back together and move into the next phase of its existence.5 With that in mind, whether one zooms in on a specific topic or looks at the whole scope, Boston has been relevant and important not just throughout the United States of America’s history but the world’s as well. Therefore Boston’s place in the political history of the world is secure because even as recently as today, the political events that unfold in Boston carry national and worldwide interest.