Final answer:
The Puritans were English Protestants seeking to purify the Church of England, characterized by doctrinal differences, opposition to the church hierarchy, and the simplification of religious practices. Their drive for a purer form of worship led them to migrate to the New World, significantly influencing the foundation and development of the New England colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Puritans were a significant religious group that sought to purify the Church of England from elements they considered reflective of Roman Catholicism. Their movement was characterized by key aspects such as doctrinal differences, church hierarchy and authority, and religious practices. All these aspects stemmed from a shared belief among Puritans that the Church of England had retained too many Catholic traits, both in its structure and in its rituals.
Both the Pilgrims and the broader Puritan community were driven by Calvinist principles, advocating for a form of worship and church organization that eliminated what they saw as unnecessary and unscriptural practices. Their theological perspectives caused them to clash with the authorities of the Church of England, which led to various forms of persecution. This cultural, social, and religious strife ultimately drove many to migrate to the New World, seeking to practice their beliefs freely and to set an example of a reformed Anglican Church.
Puritans' migration to the Americas, specifically to areas like Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, was driven by their determination to establish communities where they could adhere to their convictions without facing persecution. Here, they could carry out their vision of a purified church, leading to the establishment of a society deeply imbued with their religious values. Ultimately, Puritanism's legacy continued to shape the social, religious, and economic fabric of the New England colonies.