In 1629, the Massachusetts Bay Company was created to oversee the affairs of colonists in New England. The following year, on board the Arabella, John Winthrop and others sailed to America. In the 20 years that he governed Massachusetts, he imposed his ideas on the citizens of the colony, and its subsequent success came to reflect his leadership and decisions. Among the countless number of aspirations he held for the colony, he hoped for widespread education, and …showed first 75 words of 1671 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1671 total…belief, he created a legal system that severely punished sinful acts.28 In the years that Winthrop governed Massachusetts Bay, he shaped the lives of colonists in a countless number of ways. Although he was not the only significant, high-ranking official of his time, much of the colony's success is owed to his ideas and accomplishments. Even after his death his beliefs continued to mold the characteristics of Massachusetts Bay for many years in the future.