Final answer:
Puritans like John Winthrop who were critical in establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, contributed to forming the intellectual and cultural foundations of America with their religious practices and social principles, thus bridging to the later Rationalist movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the reign of Elizabeth I, Puritans grew in number, seeking to reform the Church of England. Under Charles I, they faced persecution leading many to migrate to the Americas, beginning with the Pilgrims in Plymouth and followed by a second group, including John Winthrop, who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. These Puritans established foundational aspects of American intellectual life, building the first public school system and colleges, and set the stage for the transition to a more rationalist perspective in American thought.
The Puritans saw themselves as creating a 'New' England, a reformed Protestant settlement that would be a model of religious devotion and social organization. Their covenant theology connected their civil society directly to God, prefiguring John Winthrop's notion of a 'city on a hill.' This concept, paired with their emphasis on hard work, thriftiness, and social responsibility, bridged the gap to the Rationalists, who would later emphasize law, reason, and practical achievements, forming a continuum in the development of American intellectual and cultural identity.