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Difficulty: MediumChesapeake and Southern Colonies

"And whereas the enforcing of the conscience in matters of Religion hath frequently fallen out to be of dangerous Consequence in those commonwealths where it hath been practised... Be it therefore... enacted... that no person or persons whatsoever within this Province... professing to believe in Jesus Christ, shall from henceforth be any ways troubled, molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or her religion nor in the free exercise thereof..."

— Maryland Toleration Act, 1649

Which of the following was the primary motivation for the enactment of the law excerpted above?

  1. A
    The desire of colonial leaders to establish a highly structured, religiously homogeneous society modeled on Puritan theology.
  2. The political instability arising from religious tensions between the Catholic proprietary leadership and a growing Protestant majority.Answer
  3. C
    The need to codify the hereditary status of agricultural laborers who sought freedom through Christian baptism.
  4. D
    The enforcement of imperial mercantilist regulations designed to limit colonial shipping to English markets.

Answer

The political instability arising from religious tensions between the Catholic proprietary leadership and a growing Protestant majority.
The correct answer is correct because the Toleration Act of 1649 was a pragmatic response by Maryland's Catholic proprietor, Lord Baltimore, to protect the Catholic minority. As Protestant settlers began to outnumber Catholics in the colony, the proprietor sought to secure religious freedom for Catholics by extending it to all Christians, thereby preventing sectarian conflict.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus context.
The stimulus is an excerpt from the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, which guarantees freedom of worship for all Christians.
Identifying the document helps place the law within the specific social and political context of the Chesapeake colonies in the mid-seventeenth century.
2
Identify the historical circumstances surrounding the passage of the act.
Lord Baltimore established Maryland as a haven for English Catholics, but Protestant settlers quickly outnumbered Catholics, leading to political tension.
Understanding the demographic makeup of Maryland explains why a law protecting religious freedom for all Christians was deemed necessary.
3
Select the option that matches this primary motivation.
The option describing religious tensions between the Catholic elite and the Protestant majority aligns with the historical motivation for the act.
This shows how local demographic pressures forced the proprietary government to offer religious toleration to secure peace.

Key Concept

The social and religious developments of the Chesapeake colonies, specifically the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649.

Hints

1
Recall which religious group founded Maryland and what challenges they faced as Protestant immigration increased.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Chesapeake and Southern Colonies

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