CHAPTER 3 • SECTION 2 Rhode Island Welcomes Dissenters In Salem, Massachusetts, the minis- ter Roger Williams shocked Puritan authorities by insisting that • the colonists had no right to take Native American lands by force; • no one should be forced to attend church; More About . • the Puritans should not impose their religious beliefs on others; and • church and state should be kept separate. Roger Williams Because of his beliefs, the Puritans had Williams banished, or forced to Roger Williams was the author of eight leave the colony. In 1636 he fled south and founded Rhode Island, a colony books, the first of which was A Key into the that guaranteed religious tolerance and separation of church and state. Language of America. Williams thought it Williams also established the first Baptist Church in America. was the responsibility of the English settlers Anne Hutchinson was another dissenter. She believed that many of the clergy to learn more about Native Americans, were not among the “elect”—those chosen by God for salvation. She held and he wrote this book to help his fellow discussions that challenged church authority. Hutchinson was also tried and banished from Massachusetts. In 1638 she fled to Rhode Island. That same settlers. Besides language instruction, this ONLINE year, John Wheelwright, Anne Hutchinson’s brother-in-law and supporter, PRIMARY SOURCE book helped explain and defend some also fled. He established the town of Exeter, in what is now New Hampshire. Native American customs, especially those Hear the debate at the The town’s founders wrote the Exeter Compact, which was based on the May- viewed by the settlers as immoral. Research & Writing Center flower Compact. New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679. Williams also used the book to attack the @ ClassZone.com idea that it was permissible to take land from the Native Americans. Williams argued that Native Americans cultivated hunting COMPARING Perspectives grounds, and so could claim ownership of these lands under English law. (New RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE VS. INTOLERANCE England courts generally recognized Puritans began arguing over religious matters almost as soon as they had set up Native American ownership only of tilled the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Those who disagreed with Puritan leaders were sometimes brought to trial and punished. Issues of religious freedom were widely farmlands.) debated as some colonists argued for and others argued against tolerance. RESEARCH & GoWRITING online to CENTERexplore It doth not a little grieve my He that is willing to tolerate any more of the heated spirit to hear what sad things religion. either doubts of his debate at “ are reported daily of your “ own [religion] or is not sincere ClassZone.com COMPARING Perspectives tyranny and persecutions in in it. New England, as that you fine, —Nathaniel Ward, minister whip, and imprison men for Religious Tolerance their consciences. We have here Presbyterian —Richard Saltonstall churches as well as Congrega- Vs. Intolerance “ tional. .Only we are [reluctant] “ Hear recordings of these sources at Forced worship stinks in to be blown up and down. by the Research and Writing Center @ God’s nostrils. every wind of new notions. —Roger Williams, minister ClassZone.com. Ask students to suggest —John Cotton, minister reasons why the Puritans might have thought it was a good idea to bring to trial CRITICAL THINKING and punish those who disagreed with them. Connect to Today Which group might feel more at ease in modern American society and why? (Possible Answer: The Puritans might have wanted to make examples of those who disagreed with them so that others would be intimidated.) CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION Connect to Today Possible Answer: Students may suggest that the group supporting tolerance would feel more Struggling Readers English Learners at ease in modern America because the nation was founded on principles of Rephrase Quotes Vocabulary: Prefixes religious tolerance. Students may find the quotes on this Contrast the words tolerance and page difficult to understand. Have intolerance. Tell students that the prefix students work in small groups to in- is one of many prefixes in English rephrase the quotes into simpler, modern that mean “not.” Have students tell English. Then have each group read its what these words mean: inaccurate, rewordings aloud. Have the group decide inappropriate, inactive, incapable, which rewordings it likes best. Guide the incompetent. Then have students find group in a discussion of the tone and three similar words in the dictionary. style of each quote. Remind students that the prefix in- can also mean “into,” so they should carefully read the definitions of the three words they find. 70 • Chapter 3 Connecticut Extends Voting Rights Conservative Puritans also set up new CHAPTER 3 • SECTION 2 colonies. In 1636, Thomas Hooker moved his congregation to the Connect- icut Valley. There settlers wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in 1639. (See pages 74–75.) The Orders extended voting rights to non-church members. This expanded representative government. SUMMARIZE Explain why some colonists left Massachusetts. Teach Answer: Dissenters began challenging Puritan leaders and were forced to leave. Others chose to leave in order to govern themselves. The Fight for Tolerance The Fight for Tolerance KEY QUESTION Why did the Quakers protest against Talk About It the Puritans? • How did the Quakers view Puritan sermons Although Puritans had come to America to find religious and ministers? (Quakers believed they were freedom for themselves, they would not allow all faiths obstacles to the direct experience of God.) to worship freely. They were particularly intolerant of the Quakers, another group of Protestant dissenters. • Why did Puritan leaders become increasingly brutal toward the Quakers? (The Quakers who Puritans Persecute Quakers The name “Quakers” had been banished kept coming back to the came from a leader’s statement that they should Puritan colonies to talk about their faith.) “tremble [quake] at the word of the Lord.” Quaker History Makers beliefs angered the Puritans. The Quakers believed • Causes and Effects Why do you think God could be known directly through an “inner Mary Dyer ?–1660 Mary Dyer’s execution led to greater religious light,” and that Puritan sermons and ministers Mary Dyer, the religious martyr, came to tolerance? (Possible Answers: because were obstacles to the direct experience of God. Massachusetts with her husband, William Dyer, in people—even opponents—admired the kind Because Quakers believed that women were spir- 1635. She supported her friend Anne Hutchinson of courage Mary Dyer showed; because those itually equal to men, Quaker women served as during Hutchinson’s trial. When Hutchinson was who felt like Mary Dyer were inspired and preachers and as missionaries. These beliefs and banished from Massachusetts, Dyer followed became more numerous, making it harder for practices threatened the very foundations of the her to Rhode Island. Returning to England, Dyer New England Way. For this, Quakers were jailed, the Puritans to oppress them) met George Fox, the founder of the Quakers. In whipped, or banished from Puritan colonies. 1657 she was back in New England as a Quaker Although often banished, Quaker missionar- missionary. For speaking openly about her faith, ies defied the authorities, returning repeatedly to Dyer was banished once from New Haven before History Makers Puritan colonies to speak openly about their faith. being imprisoned and banished three times from In frustration, Puritan leaders passed laws with Massachusetts. Mary Dyer increasingly brutal punishments. Finally Puritans began executing Quakers who returned after being Determined to protest against religious intolerance, When Mary Dyer was expelled from the banished. Dyer again returned, this time to face the sentence Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1658, it was In response, Quakers became martyrs, people of death. She was hanged on June 1, 1660. As she not under pain of death, since that law was who choose to die for a religious principle. One had hoped, her execution helped end the Puritan not passed until later that year. Even after of the most famous Quaker martyrs was a woman persecution of the Quakers. the law was passed, she continued to defy named Mary Dyer. Despite her banishment from it. The second to last time she returned to the colony, Dyer returned to Massachusetts, deter- Massachusetts, she was already standing mined to “look the bloody laws in the face.” CRITICAL THINKING Make Inferences Why do you think the Puritans felt threatened by the Quakers? with the rope around her neck when she Although she was executed, her death led to greater was reprieved by the governor. She soon religious tolerance. For more on the life of Mary Dyer, returned again, and this time, the governor CAUSES AND EFFECTS Explain why the Quakers ONLINE go to the Research & Writing Center did not intervene. protested against the Puritans. BIOGRAPHY @ ClassZone.com Answer: The Puritans would not let them worship CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER freely. Make Inferences The Puritans may The English Establish 13 Colonies 71 have felt threatened because the Quakers rejected many Puritan beliefs and INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES practices, such as the dependence on sermons and ministers. CONNECT to Language Arts CONNECT to Drama Persuasive Speeches on Religious Mary Dyer Readers Theater Play Freedom Guide the class in writing and performing—or Discuss