England under Henry VIII resisted the Reformation. While he did allow some small reforms (English language, and priests marrying), he resisted other changes. Things changed under Edward, and Mary, but Elizabeth restored the English Church to the "via media," or middle way between Catholics, and Protestants.
Puritans, and Calvinists were amongst the groups who went to the New World, seeking religious freedom. E.g., people like the Quakers, and others fled England to live a stricter, more Protestant life. Meanwhile, Spanish, and French areas remained Catholic. Which set up the religious boundaries in North America that still exist today: e.g. Quebec is Catholic, as is Mexico, and the USA is mostly Protestant.
