Final answer:
Puritan ideas and values led to the creation of a strict and homogeneous society in New England that was based on their Calvinist religious beliefs, emphasizing a strong work ethic, simplicity in worship, and close adherence to Biblical law, culminating in both a strong sense of community and instances of religious intolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Puritan ideas and values significantly influenced the social development of the New England colonies before 1670, by shaping a strict and homogeneous society. Puritans, who followed the teachings of John Calvin, sought to establish a community based on their religious beliefs and social virtues.
They envisioned a society where all aspects of life, be it family, church, or state, were guided by a strict adherence to Calvinist doctrine. Their society was characterized by a strong work ethic, simplicity in worship, and a social order that adhered closely to their interpretation of the Bible.
The Puritan emphasis on community and moral living created a tightly-knit, homogeneous society that was intolerant of what they perceived as deviance from their values, leading to instances like the banishing of dissenters such as Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams, and the tragic Salem witch trials.
Despite this, the Puritan colonies became self-sustaining and managed to achieve their twin objectives of promoting Puritan religious ideology and building a robust economy.