Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Who were described as separatists that left the Church of England?

1. Puritans

2. Pilgrims

3. Anglicans

4. Quakers

The correct answer is: Pilgrims

The term "separatists" specifically refers to a group that sought to distance themselves from the Church of England, believing it to be corrupt and in need of reform. The Pilgrims, also known as the Separatists, left England in search of a place where they could practice their religion freely without the influence of the Anglican Church. This group famously traveled to North America on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Their desire for religious freedom and separation from the Church of England characterized their beliefs and actions. In contrast, Puritans, another group that sought to reform the Church of England, did not advocate for separation but rather for purification of the church. Anglicans are members of the Church of England itself, and Quakers emerged as a distinct religious group later, advocating for inner light and equality, which does not align with the definition of separatists from the Church of England.