were empowered with the ability to be enlightened and the capability of achieving much within the society itself. However, by the same reasoning, some individuals were also destined to take the lesser roles in society, and as a result, had no power to move up within the ranks because of this inescapable predetermination. This is represented by the following Winthrop passage: God Almighty..hath so disposed of the condition of mankind as in all times some must be rich, some poor; some high and eminent in power and dignity, others mean and in subjection (Winthrop, 79). To further inequality, Winthrop stressed the need for each to take their place for the good of society: hold conformity with the rest of His (Gods) works, being delighted to show forth the glory of His wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures and the glory of His power, in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole (Winthrop, 79).The Puritans did not believe in equality, and any problems resulting from this mindset was silenced by Winthrops pleads for those unhappy souls, assigned by the Almighty to be subordinate, to take their place for the preservation of society.Although inequalities may not been less evident later on in the 1700s, societal stratification was a factor during the formation of the American political system. One leader at this time was the nations second president, John Adams. Previous to the release of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which Adams had a significant role in developing, a set of correspondences between Adams and his wife, Abigail, show readers the role of women during this age. Abigail wrote to her husband suggesting that the Declaration of Independence be modified to include provisions for increasing womens rights (Adams, 65). John Adams response to this letter is incredibly grating: As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that our Struggle has loosened...
