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Puritans were originally members of the Church of England. They were forced to flee England because they were being prosecuted for their beliefs. They were called Puritans because they were trying to purify the Catholic Church, who still contained rituals of the Roman Church. Fearing for their safety, the Puritans migrated to Massachusetts Bay around 1630. Life was thriving and soon, the population would sky rocket. They would scatter into now called Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. Their ultimate purpose was to start a new life and practice their religion.

History.com Editors, "Puritans", A&E Television Networks, October 29, 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/puritanism

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The purpose of the Salem Witch Trials was to kill people that were suspected of being witches.
"Salem Witch Trials", A&E Television Networks, 4 November 2011, https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials

The trials began when the niece and daughter of Samuel Parris, the minister of Salem Village, began to have uncontrollable outbursts of screaming and violent contortions. After a local doctor diagnosed the 2 children with bewitchment, other young girls in the community began to have similar symptoms. The girls blamed 3 people which included the Parris' Caribbean slave, who confessed that she was a witch hoping that they would spare her by acting as an informer. This caused hysteria to spread which lead to other hangings.
"Salem Witch Trials", A&E Television Networks, 4 November 2011, https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials

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Living by the Bible was most important to the Puritans. They believed that their was only one religion and that it should shape the way people live their lives.
http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2007/10/puritan-laws-and-customs.html

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One writing that came out during this time period is a letter written to John Foster and the author is talking about her opinion on the punishments during the Salem Witch Trials.

"To John Foster TLHSQ;HM/* August 17, 1692",
http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/letters/to_cotton1.html
Another writing that came out during this period was Candide that was written by Voltaire and is about the Enlightenment and his view.
Dillon Sarah, "Candid",Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., May 30, 2017 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Candide-by-Voltaire

An allegory called The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyun was published during the 1600s. The book is about the adventures of a Christian feeling his home.
"Vybarr Cregan-Reid", "The Pilgram's Progress", https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Pilgrims-Progress

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John Winthrop was an important Puritan because he was the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and became a prominent figure among puritans. He started a settlement in Massachusetts and laid the foundation for Puritanism in America.
Governor John Winthrop: Biography, History & Significance

https://study.com/academy/lesson/governor-john-winthrop-biography-history-significance.html

Jonathan Edwards was an important Puritan because he was considered one of the greatest theologian and philosopher who stimulated one of the forerunners of the age of Protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century.
Schafer, Thomas, "Jonathan Edwards" Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc, March 15, 2018

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jonathan-Edwards
John Harvard was an assistant pastor in Charlestown. When he died he directed half his money to the development of what is now called, Harvard University in Cambridge.
Biography.com Editors, "John Harvard Biography", A&E Television Networks, April 2, 2014, https://www.biography.com/people/john-harvard-9330635