Puritans: Devout followers of Puritanism who sought to purify the Church of England from within by eliminating what they considered to be remnants of Catholic rituals and doctrines.
Theocracy: A form of government where religious leaders hold both religious and political authority, like how some Puritan ministers had significant influence over colonial governance.
John Winthrop: An influential Puritan minister who served as governor for much of Massachusetts Bay Colony's early history, promoting its growth and implementing strict moral codes.