The Adoption of Religious Tolerance in the American Colonies

Oral Presentation
9:45-10:05 a.m. CDT on April 14, 2021

As part of this Discovery Day project, we intend to analyze the American colonies, with particular attention to New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Maryland, in order to better understand why some of these were successful in their mission of implementing religious tolerance while others were not. The reason we chose these colonies in particular is because each of them was founded with the original intent of founding a colony that would promote religious tolerance and peaceful religious coexistence. With that being said, not all of these were successful in their efforts. By analyzing the doctrines of the different religions that dominated these areas and the philosophies that inspired their founding, as well as the legislation, revolts, and responses that arose thereafter, we hope to gain better insight as to what made some of these colonies successful in their mission to achieve religious tolerance, while others, namely Maryland, had other results. We hope to find answers for historical purposes and for a deeper understanding of the philosophies and sentiments of the time. We also will see if there are some generalities that can explain religious tolerance and intolerance in America and the world today.

Tatumn Holland, Colette Cassar, Amelia Smith, Carlos Cerda, Johnathan Torgerson, Alexander Winger, Joshua Wolf, History

Location