Which aspect of life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony did the Puritans largely emphasize?

The Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony with a strong emphasis on religious conformity, as their primary motivation for settlement was to create a community that adhered strictly to their interpretation of Christianity. They sought to build a "city upon a hill," a model society that would reflect their religious ideals and serve as an example to others. This emphasis led to the establishment of laws and community norms that reinforced Puritan beliefs and practices, ensuring that the colony was unified in its religious outlook.

In this context, religious conformity shaped various aspects of life in the colony, including governance, education, and social interaction. The Puritans implemented a theocratic system where church leaders held significant influence over civil matters, and dissent from established beliefs could lead to punishment or expulsion from the community. This focus on maintaining a homogeneous society underpinned their social fabric and was central to their vision for the colony's success.