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Although the desire for riches was behind the exploration of that part of the New World that became the United States, the first white colonists were mostly people who rejected the materialism of the countries they fled. The Puritans who founded Massachusetts believed material instincts would displace God from people's hearts. Any excess wealth was to be shared with the poor. Quakers, who colonized Pennsylvania, believed freeing yourself from pursuing material goods freed the spirit for social service. Early Quaker thought rejected the English idea that extravagant habits of the rich were necessary to provide jobs for the poor. They insisted that narrowing the gap between rich and poor must be a social priority in the new land.
By the middle of the 17th century, the abundance of the new frontier and the many opportunities for entrepreneurs had led to a significant dilution of both Quaker and Puritan practice of simplicity. English traders reported that orders were pouring in for lace and other luxury goods. The leaders tried, but mostly failed to stem the tide of resistance to the strict laws regulating personal life in the religious colonies. Historians like to joke that the Puritans and Quakers came to this country to do good, and ended up doing well. Despite this, there were many Puritans, and especially Quakers, who continued to do good, and to read about their reform efforts is to look at an interesting and little-known part of our history that is particularly relevant to us today. (See David Shi's book in resource list.)
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