USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Puritans were members of a religious reform movement known as Puritanism that arose within the Church of England in the late 16th century. They believed the Church of England was too similar to the Roman Catholic Church and should eliminate ceremonies and practices not rooted in the Bible.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 1629, Charles granted a group of Puritans and merchants a charter to settle in New England. They formed the Massachusetts Bay Company. In 1630 a fleet of ships carrying Puritan colonists left England for Massachusetts to seek religious freedom. They were led by John Winthrop.

Detailed explanation-3: -The church was the most important building in these early Connecticut communities. Known as the meetinghouse, it not only served as a house of worship, but might also function as an armory and courthouse and a place to hold town meetings.

Detailed explanation-4: -How did the Puritans organize their settlements? Puritans typically lived in compact villages clustered around a community meeting house where they met to worship and discuss local issues. These town meetings provided important experience in self-government.