Puritanism was a religious reform movement that emerged in the late 16th and early 17th centuries within the Church of England. Puritans sought to "purify" the church of practices they viewed as corrupt or unbiblical, advocating for a simpler form of worship and a more personal relationship with God. They emphasized moral integrity, hard work, and community responsibility. Many Puritans migrated to North America in the early 1600s, establishing colonies such as Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their beliefs significantly influenced American culture, including ideas about education, governance, and social ethics. Puritanism played a crucial role in shaping the early identity of the United States.