The Puritans, also known as the Pilgrims, were nonconformists who refused to accept authority. The Puritans were almost entirely city dwellers. They were not farmers and left Britain because they were unhappy with the way they were treated. Even those who lived in the countryside were not farmers. So when they came to America as a group from the Plymouth Colony and suddenly had to become farmers, it was extremely difficult for them. The Puritans had many contributions, such as predestination to go to heaven because they lived in a small place in Massachusetts. Calvin's teachings were followed and believed, like the Separatists, that man is born in sin and that they all bear the guilt of Adam and Eve. Therefore, the concepts of life that the Puritans wanted to achieve define the character of America today. In 1517, Puritans who came to America and landed on the northeast coast sought freedom of religion. Their hope was to escape the religious persecution they faced at home. The only thing they didn't want to do was start a church like the Church of England. The colonists wanted the opportunity to worship freely and choose the religion in which they wished to participate. Many religious groups such as the Quakers and Puritans formed the first 13 colonies based on their religious beliefs. An example would be how the Puritans wanted everyone to worship in the Puritan way. The first temperance movement began in Boston, Massachusetts in 1826. This was when Americans were drinking up to four gallons of alcohol a year, and this movement was aimed at stopping people from drinking. The reform movement aimed to create social change. Americans and people from the middle of the paper were educated and founded Harvard College. They also believed in the common good by raising taxes based on ability to pay. At that time, the ability to pay was based on wealth. The North had many more advantages than the South, even if it was in terms of slaves, life or education. The Monroe Doctrine of December 2, 1823 established unity. It was popular because all were free since it was followed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Puritans had a great influence on America. They created the rules, regulations and laws to remain the ruling class. They established a healthy economy, a school system and believed that the political system should be efficient. Last but not least, America's moral character was certainly shaped by the Puritans. America was invented because they were entrepreneurs and they had capitalism.