to expand upon Puritan religion, culture, law and its historical impact on the American colonies

to compare the restrictions of colonial Puritan society to the freedoms of modern American society

to better understand how the character and laws of colonial Puritans led to the Salem Witch Trials

to provide the reader with an in-depth analysis of the structure of Puritain government in New England

The law restricted religion and religious freedoms, dictating when and how Puritans should worship.

Law and religion were closeley tied, as religious law heavily influenced legal practices and governing.

Law and religion were separate, later inspriring the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Puritan religious officials often administered and oversaw local government, bringing their own personal views into the law.

It explains how, depite their rigid laws and character, Puritans had some positive characteristics and should be viewed favorably in American history.

It points out that the Puritans were actually more open-minded than other Europeans settleres and regrets their fall into obscurity.

It argues that the Puritans admitted to their own mistakes and tried to make up for them, which is a value the author believes Americans still practice today.

It emphasizes the Puritans' mistakes, such as executing innocent Quakers and those accused of witchcraft, and argues that the dark side of history should not be forgotten.