What was the government like in Massachusetts in the 1600s?

In the 1600s, Massachusetts was governed primarily as a Puritan colony, established by English settlers seeking religious freedom. The government was characterized by a theocratic system where church leaders held significant power, and civil laws were closely tied to religious doctrine. The Massachusetts Bay Colony operated under a charter that granted it a degree of self-governance, with a General Court that acted as both a legislative and judicial body. This governance model led to a focus on community cohesion and moral conformity, often at the expense of dissenting views and practices.