Puritan movement

The Puritan movement was a religious reform effort in 16th and 17th-century England aiming to purify the Church of England from what they saw as remaining Catholic influences. They sought to simplify church practices, emphasize personal faith, and promote moral discipline. Many Puritans faced persecution and opportunities for religious freedom led some to migrate to North America, where they established colonies like Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. Their beliefs and values significantly influenced American culture, values, and institutions, emphasizing community, education, and individual responsibility in religious life.