Final answer:
The Massachusetts Bay Colony's initial success was largely due to its strong emphasis on education and its economic strategy, including trade with the West Indies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two key things that contributed to the initial success of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were its focus on education and its economic strategy. The Puritan belief that knowledge of Scripture was necessary for church membership meant that education became a fundamental aspect of life in the colony. This emphasis on education led to a literate and industrious community, fostering both order and progress. Additionally, the trade relationships established with the West Indies during the 1640s were crucial for the colony's economy. When England's Civil War interfered with transatlantic shipping, this trade with the West Indies proved vital for sustaining Boston's economy, particularly through exports such as food supplies and livestock feed.