Final answer:
The Puritans executed King Charles I in 1649, leading to the establishment of a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, which later became a dictatorship, and eventually the restoration of the monarchy and the Glorious Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Puritans, who sought to reform the Church of England from its Catholic practices, gained control and decided to execute King Charles I in 1649, this led to an epochal shift in the English government. The parliamentary forces, led by Oliver Cromwell, won the English Civil War and beheaded Charles I, resulting in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic known as the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth later devolved into a dictatorship under Cromwell's rule and was followed by a restoration of the monarchy with Charles II. The execution of Charles I and the subsequent interregnum had lasting effects on the political landscape, impacting not only England but also the English colonies in America, where Puritans in New England followed these events with interest, while others viewed the upheaval with apprehension. The restoration of the monarchy also led to significant political changes, like the Glorious Revolution, which established a constitutional monarchy and permanently shifted the balance of power in favor of Parliament.