background info.
Many Americans take
their individual religious freedom and the country’s current policy of
separation between church and state for granted. American citizens forget that
it was not until the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
in the late 1700s that granted citizens the religious liberty we share today.1
Before these documents were signed, many immigrants from Western Europe fled to America to escape religious persecution from the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. When immigrants arrived in America they created colonies centered upon their communities’ religious beliefs. “[Most] individual colonies strove to keep their communities ‘pure’ welcoming only persons of like beliefs.”1 Ironically, colonies restricted freedom within their own communities when the formation of their colony was the direct result of finding refuge from religious persecution. Among these religious groups that fled to America were the Puritans and Quakers who essentially believed in the same religion (Protestantism), but practiced their own adaptation of it. Although the Puritans and the Quakers sought freedom in the Americas never the less they suffered social and religious persecution within their own communities.
By looking closer at why religious groups such as the Quakers and Puritans moved to America the easier it is to understand the irony of the religious persecution within their own communities. The questioning of the Roman Catholic Church began in the 1500s with the Protestant Reformation which was catalyzed by Martin Luther’s ninety-five theses and the publication of the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church was accused of being corrupt for having people pay for their salvation, and a church controlled by a pope with supreme rule.1 The Protestant Reformation resulted in new denominations.1 Martin Luther’s practices were carried on by John Calvin who spread the new religion of Protestantism.2 Protestants believed that “the bible could be read by anyone, god freely forgave individuals for their sins, and churches should be governed by the people of the church.”1 These core beliefs contradicted the Catholic Church’s teachings, and anyone who questioned the Catholic Church’s authority was persecuted.
Many religious groups fled to America for refuge, but that was not the only reason groups left England. In 1607 members of the Church of England left for Jamestown Virginia to improve their economic position.1 Then in 1620 the puritans established the Plymouth colony in Cape Cod and in 1630 they built the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston.3 Although both colonies were created by puritans, each colony felt differently about the Church of England. The Plymouth colony completely separated from the Church of England while the Massachusetts Bay Colony felt the church needed to be reformed, but felt no inclination to be completely independent from the church.4 The Massachusetts Bay Colony also allowed settlers who were not devout Puritans to be a part of the community, because the governor John Winthrop realized that the new colony needed people with skills to ensure success.5 Like many new colonies the Massachusetts Bay Colony struggled to succeed as a new community. Many European immigrants struggled to not only construct the social and religious aspects of their own community, but also to deal with colonists from different communities who held different social and religious beliefs.5 “Eighty-five percent of colonists lived in colonies with an established church”1 including the Puritans, but the Quakers did not have an established church. The Quakers did not follow mainstream American religions.
Through 1624 to 1691 George Fox gathered Quakers to form the Society of Friends in England when they were being severely persecuted. In 1640 the Quakers followed William Penn to Philidelphia where they created a community based on religious tolerance.1 Economically the religious group prospered with trade, and socially prospered in 1700 with people of 30 different religions living peacefully. It was not until 1754 “Quaker leaders found it difficult to reconcile their social position with their religious beliefs”6
Ultimately both the Puritans and Quakers searched for both economic and religious freedom in America. They both built their own colonies centered on their religious beliefs and practiced their own adaptation of Protestantism. The two religious groups also struggled in some form to build a successful community socially and religiously, but neither group was well aware that other religious groups shared similar practices and struggles. As a result the colonies persecuted those who believed or practiced a different religion than that of their community’s. By looking at the different religious and social aspects of the Puritan and Quaker communities, we can begin to understand the irony of colonies who sought religious freedom and yet persecuted colonists who held different social and religious practices. “Freedom to establish a new community of worshippers was the essence of religious freedom in early colonial America, but within each colony there was no religious freedom.1
Before these documents were signed, many immigrants from Western Europe fled to America to escape religious persecution from the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. When immigrants arrived in America they created colonies centered upon their communities’ religious beliefs. “[Most] individual colonies strove to keep their communities ‘pure’ welcoming only persons of like beliefs.”1 Ironically, colonies restricted freedom within their own communities when the formation of their colony was the direct result of finding refuge from religious persecution. Among these religious groups that fled to America were the Puritans and Quakers who essentially believed in the same religion (Protestantism), but practiced their own adaptation of it. Although the Puritans and the Quakers sought freedom in the Americas never the less they suffered social and religious persecution within their own communities.
By looking closer at why religious groups such as the Quakers and Puritans moved to America the easier it is to understand the irony of the religious persecution within their own communities. The questioning of the Roman Catholic Church began in the 1500s with the Protestant Reformation which was catalyzed by Martin Luther’s ninety-five theses and the publication of the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church was accused of being corrupt for having people pay for their salvation, and a church controlled by a pope with supreme rule.1 The Protestant Reformation resulted in new denominations.1 Martin Luther’s practices were carried on by John Calvin who spread the new religion of Protestantism.2 Protestants believed that “the bible could be read by anyone, god freely forgave individuals for their sins, and churches should be governed by the people of the church.”1 These core beliefs contradicted the Catholic Church’s teachings, and anyone who questioned the Catholic Church’s authority was persecuted.
Many religious groups fled to America for refuge, but that was not the only reason groups left England. In 1607 members of the Church of England left for Jamestown Virginia to improve their economic position.1 Then in 1620 the puritans established the Plymouth colony in Cape Cod and in 1630 they built the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston.3 Although both colonies were created by puritans, each colony felt differently about the Church of England. The Plymouth colony completely separated from the Church of England while the Massachusetts Bay Colony felt the church needed to be reformed, but felt no inclination to be completely independent from the church.4 The Massachusetts Bay Colony also allowed settlers who were not devout Puritans to be a part of the community, because the governor John Winthrop realized that the new colony needed people with skills to ensure success.5 Like many new colonies the Massachusetts Bay Colony struggled to succeed as a new community. Many European immigrants struggled to not only construct the social and religious aspects of their own community, but also to deal with colonists from different communities who held different social and religious beliefs.5 “Eighty-five percent of colonists lived in colonies with an established church”1 including the Puritans, but the Quakers did not have an established church. The Quakers did not follow mainstream American religions.
Through 1624 to 1691 George Fox gathered Quakers to form the Society of Friends in England when they were being severely persecuted. In 1640 the Quakers followed William Penn to Philidelphia where they created a community based on religious tolerance.1 Economically the religious group prospered with trade, and socially prospered in 1700 with people of 30 different religions living peacefully. It was not until 1754 “Quaker leaders found it difficult to reconcile their social position with their religious beliefs”6
Ultimately both the Puritans and Quakers searched for both economic and religious freedom in America. They both built their own colonies centered on their religious beliefs and practiced their own adaptation of Protestantism. The two religious groups also struggled in some form to build a successful community socially and religiously, but neither group was well aware that other religious groups shared similar practices and struggles. As a result the colonies persecuted those who believed or practiced a different religion than that of their community’s. By looking at the different religious and social aspects of the Puritan and Quaker communities, we can begin to understand the irony of colonies who sought religious freedom and yet persecuted colonists who held different social and religious practices. “Freedom to establish a new community of worshippers was the essence of religious freedom in early colonial America, but within each colony there was no religious freedom.1
1. Lawrence, Baker W. “Religion’s Influences.” Shaping of America, 1783-1815 Reference Library. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow? failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3450900023&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=d40cba3b538ca11bc6b56fc37950ec30
2. “Society of Friends.” American Eras. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600397&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=a277cf58d40dc424f4d9bcf0fb1521bc (accessed February 24, 2014).
3. Miller, Perry.“Puritans and Puritanism.” Dictionary of American History. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401803470&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=38191f2c04b3360b8e22669c8a50bde1 (accessed February 24, 2014).
4. “Morton, Thomas.” Colonial America Reference Library. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3425300138&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=c9a3f3a7c884b6fd6a2b1c6ba08b5dba (accessed February 24, 2014).
5. “Massachusetts Bay Colony.” Dictionary of American History. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401802565&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=65023a399065623d97bab894bd1404a4 (accessed February 24, 2014).
6. “Quakers.” American Eras. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600630&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=999ec8b789ebb5c46a3c198f22a1e446 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Bibliography
American Eras. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 1997. s.v. "Quakers." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600630&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=999ec8b789ebb5c46a3c198f22a1e446 (accessed February 24, 2014).
American Eras. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 1997. s.v. "Society of Friends." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600397&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=a277cf58d40dc424f4d9bcf0fb1521bc (accessed February 24, 2014).
Lawrence, Baker W., ed. Shaping of America, 1783-1815 Reference Library. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 2006. s.v. "Religion's Influences." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3450900023&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=d40cba3b538ca11bc6b56fc37950ec30 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Lindenauer, Leslie J., ed. Dictionary of American History. New York: Charles Scribners Son, 2003. s.v. "Massachusetts Bay Colony." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401802565&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=65023a399065623d97bab894bd1404a4 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Miller, Perry, ed. Dictionary of American History. New York: U.S. History in Context, 2003. s.v. "Puritans and Puritanism." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401803470&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=38191f2c04b3360b8e22669c8a50bde1 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Saari, Peggy, and Julie L. Carnagie, ed. Colonial America Refernce Library. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 2000. s.v. "Morton, Thomas." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3425300138&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=c9a3f3a7c884b6fd6a2b1c6ba08b5dba (accessed February 24, 2014).
2. “Society of Friends.” American Eras. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600397&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=a277cf58d40dc424f4d9bcf0fb1521bc (accessed February 24, 2014).
3. Miller, Perry.“Puritans and Puritanism.” Dictionary of American History. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401803470&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=38191f2c04b3360b8e22669c8a50bde1 (accessed February 24, 2014).
4. “Morton, Thomas.” Colonial America Reference Library. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3425300138&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=c9a3f3a7c884b6fd6a2b1c6ba08b5dba (accessed February 24, 2014).
5. “Massachusetts Bay Colony.” Dictionary of American History. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401802565&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=65023a399065623d97bab894bd1404a4 (accessed February 24, 2014).
6. “Quakers.” American Eras. accessed February 24, 2014. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600630&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=999ec8b789ebb5c46a3c198f22a1e446 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Bibliography
American Eras. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 1997. s.v. "Quakers." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600630&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=999ec8b789ebb5c46a3c198f22a1e446 (accessed February 24, 2014).
American Eras. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 1997. s.v. "Society of Friends." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX2536600397&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=a277cf58d40dc424f4d9bcf0fb1521bc (accessed February 24, 2014).
Lawrence, Baker W., ed. Shaping of America, 1783-1815 Reference Library. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 2006. s.v. "Religion's Influences." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3450900023&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=d40cba3b538ca11bc6b56fc37950ec30 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Lindenauer, Leslie J., ed. Dictionary of American History. New York: Charles Scribners Son, 2003. s.v. "Massachusetts Bay Colony." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401802565&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=65023a399065623d97bab894bd1404a4 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Miller, Perry, ed. Dictionary of American History. New York: U.S. History in Context, 2003. s.v. "Puritans and Puritanism." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3401803470&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=38191f2c04b3360b8e22669c8a50bde1 (accessed February 24, 2014).
Saari, Peggy, and Julie L. Carnagie, ed. Colonial America Refernce Library. Detroit: U.S. History in Context, 2000. s.v. "Morton, Thomas." http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/PrimarySourcesDetailsPage/PrimarySourcesDetailsWindow?failOver&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=PrimarySources&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=UHIC&action=e&catId=&activity&scanId=&documentId=GALE|CX3425300138&source=Bookmark&u=down21475&jsid=c9a3f3a7c884b6fd6a2b1c6ba08b5dba (accessed February 24, 2014).