The least amount of religious freedom occurred in the northern colonies. In 1620, the Puritan settlers landed in Massachusetts. This colony was undoubtedly a Puritan state with no interference from any other religion. William Bradford, the governor of Massachusetts displayed his adherence to the Puritan faith and stated, “non-Puritan settlers on their particular might corrupt his godly experiment in the wilderness (B-pg. 44).” Those who were not Puritans were persecuted with fines, floggings, and banishment. Governor Winthrop lauded, “we shall

In the Southern colonies, religious freedom existed but was an unimportant issue. Lord Baltimore of a prominent English family founded Maryland in 1634. He passed the Act of Toleration in 1649; guaranteed toleration to all Christians. Although, it decreed the death penalty for Jews and Atheists, who denied the divinity of Jesus. He claimed Maryland for Roman Catholics but there were so many Protestants that entered the colony and the Act of Toleration was designed to ease religious tension. Virginia did not focus on religion and tolerated any religion that was practiced except for Judaism and Atheism. Tobacco in Virginia would be number one on virtually everyone’s list. Religion was also unimportant in the Carolinas, where aristocracy was looked upon higher. The southern colonies are proof that religion was not a prime facet of society but a glimmer of light willing to shine on anyone who searched for it.

As we live in a modern society, we come to realize that this melting pot of a country has refined its roots that originate prior to 1700. As we look back, we see how freedom of religion was displayed and in some instances was not. States like Massachusetts exercised harsh rule on religion while Rhod

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