The US pilgrims, especially the Puritans- a strong Protestant sect- were a tightly knit community in the 17th century who lived in villages and held the land communally as opposed to those pioneers who homesteaded. They enforced their religious beliefs and morals and ostracized or censured those who violated their religious committments. They also exerted strict control over the unruly forces of the market. Also, they shunned outsiders.
