Question

In contrast to Virginia, the colony of Massachusetts Bay thrived almost from the beginning because the early Puritan settlers chose a location uninhabited by hostile Indians, arrived as young, single, and healthy males unburdened by family commitments, were less educated and thus less easily dissatisfied, or came as freemen in families and possessed a strong work ethic and valuable skills?

1) Chose a location uninhabited by hostile Indians
2) Arrived as young, single, and healthy males unburdened by family commitments
3) Were less educated and thus less easily dissatisfied
4) Came as freemen in families and possessed a strong work ethic and valuable skills

Answer 1

The Massachusetts Bay Colony succeeded because of the Puritan settlers' family structures, work ethic, and valuable skills, in addition to their focus on education and industry, creating a prosperous and industrious society.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Massachusetts Bay Colony thrived almost from the beginning mainly because the settlers came as freemen in families and possessed a strong work ethic and valuable skills. Unlike many of the settlers who went to other colonies, the Puritans who settled Massachusetts Bay were generally families with young children and their university-trained ministers. Their aim was to create a reformed Protestant society, a "city upon a hill," which necessitated a high value on education and industry. Puritan Boston did extremely well, with a disciplined local workforce and a robust maritime-based economy. The focus on industry, combined with a climate of religious purpose, contributed to the success and growth of the colony. By 1691, the success of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was solidified when it absorbed the territories of Maine and Plymouth to become a royal colony.