Puritans were members of a religious and social movement of the 1500's and 1600's. This movement had its roots in England and spread to America. Puritanism, as this movement was called, affected the social, the political, and the religious aspects these people's lives. It also affected the surrounding peoples in similar ways. The Bible led the Puritans' lives. Anything a Puritan did had to abide by the Bible. They even judged people by the Bible.

One group of people the Puritans judged unfairly was the Native Americans. They were labeled savages for reasons only justified by the Puritans. The Native Americans way of living was considered "uncivilized." The main reason why they were considered savages was that the Bible of the Puritans did not lead their lives. The Native American and Puritan religious beliefs were extremely different. The Puritans thought that a person should not do anything on Sunday, but go to church and pray. The Native Americans did many activities such as hunt, and attend social meetings. The Native Americans did not like the Puritans for other reasons. This is because the Puritans kept moving west into Native American land. The Puritans thought it to be their land, and the Native Americans were just pushed west. Also, their crude manners, way of dress, and language were very different. The Puritans thought that anyone that was not exactly like them, or did not do the same activities they did was against good; therefore, they did not like them. Also, they thought all other were goings to Hell. Other things that made the Puritans bias against the Native Americans were that they were not well groomed or educated. The Native Americans were not the only people that were considered to be savages or judged unfairly by the Puritans. Many of their other surrounding neighbors were also judged in an unfair manner just because of their differences.

Today in America many races and people are judged unfairly. These include races such as Mexicans, African Americans, and other foreign people. Mexicans have stereotypes that are generally not true to all of them. They get stereotypes such as being poor, dirty, and having blue-collar jobs. African Americans are also heavily stereotypes people. Today many people have biases against all kinds of people. Some are judged unfairly do to race or even religion.

Works Cited

"American Indians", Microsoft Encarta. Microsoft Corporation. Funk & Wagnall's Corporation, 1993.

"Puritanism", Microsoft Encarta. Microsoft Corporation. Funk & Wagnall's Corporation, 1993.

"Puritans", World Book Information Finder. World Book. World Book, Inc, 1995.

"Indian, American (Religion)", World Book Information Finder. World Book. World Book, Inc, 1995.