Puritan communities were religious groups that emerged in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, primarily in England. They sought to "purify" the Church of England from practices they viewed as corrupt. Many Puritans migrated to the New World to establish settlements where they could practice their faith freely, leading to the formation of communities in places like Massachusetts Bay Colony. These communities were characterized by a strong emphasis on moral conduct, communal responsibility, and a strict interpretation of the Bible. Social life was often centered around the church, and governance was typically theocratic, meaning that religious leaders held significant power in both spiritual and civic matters.