Who is recognized as the leader of the Puritans during their establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

John Winthrop is recognized as the leader of the Puritans during their establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony primarily due to his role as the colony's first governor. Winthrop was a key figure in the Puritan migration to New England in the 1630s and envisioned the colony as a "city upon a hill," a beacon of moral and religious purity. His leadership was marked by a focus on community and theocratic governance, aiming to create a society based on Puritan values. Winthrop's writings, including his famous sermon “A Model of Christian Charity,” articulated the vision for the colony and emphasized the importance of cooperation and mutual support among settlers. This foundational role helped shape the identity of Massachusetts Bay as a center for Puritanism and influenced the development of American political and social structures.