Aim: How did Roger Williams & Anne Hutchinson influence the idea of religious freedom in the American colonies? Do Now: If you were an English settler, would you prefer to live in Plymouth or Jamestown? Explain two reasons. HW: Finish Religious Freedom handout.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

City on a Hill John Winthrop, governor of Plymouth Colony, believed that the Puritans needed to create a moral society that would serve a beacon for others to follow. “New England shall be a city on a hill, the eyes of all people are on us.”

Voting Rights Only adult males that were members of the Puritan Church were allowed to vote. –Voted annually for members of lawmaking body called General Court which chose the governor. –Since only Puritan church members held political power, the Puritan view dominated Massachusetts society. –Puritan laws criminalized sins such as drunkenness, swearing, theft, and idleness. –Puritan work ethic led to rapid growth and success of New England colonies.

Dissent in the Puritan Community Although Puritans fled England to escape religious persecution, they did not tolerant other religions. Colonists who did not follow Puritan laws were put on trial and exiled to the wilderness.

Roger Williams “Forced religion stinks in the nostrils of God” Roger Williams was a Puritan who believed that: –1. the English settlers had no right to take away Native American land unless they purchased it from them. –2. Government officials had no right to punish settlers for their religious beliefs.

Roger Williams The General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony issued an arrest for Roger Williams to send him back to England. Williams fled Massachusetts Bay Colony and headed south to Narragansett Bay where he negotiated with the Narragansett tribe for land to set up a new colony: Providence, Rhode Island.

Roger Williams Williams guaranteed separation of church and state and religious freedom Rhode Island became a haven for people of different religious backgrounds.

Anne Hutchinson

Anne Hutchinson Was midwife who led Bible discussions in her home. Women were not allowed to lead Bible discussions. Criticized the Puritan minister. She believed God spoke to each person individually and there was no need for ministers to tell people how to worship. Hutchinson was banished from Massachusetts. She and her family joined Roger Williams in Rhode Island.

William Penn William Penn was Puritan who did not agree with Massachusetts way of life. Established colony of Pennsylvania where people of diverse religious backgrounds were welcomed.

The Quakers Quakers: religious group that believed Bibles and ministers were not necessary. Believed that God can speak directly to individuals. They would quake and tremble in church when they received revelations from God. Women were allowed to become ministers. Were persecuted in Massachusetts for their beliefs. Migrated to Pennsylvania under the leadership of William Penn Tolerated people from diverse religious backgrounds. (Symbol of honesty and integrity)