"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?
- AThe desire of colonial leaders to establish a highly structured, religiously homogeneous society modeled on Puritan theology.
- The political instability arising from religious tensions between the Catholic proprietary leadership and a growing Protestant majority.Cevap
- CThe need to codify the hereditary status of agricultural laborers who sought freedom through Christian baptism.
- DThe enforcement of imperial mercantilist regulations designed to limit colonial shipping to English markets.
Cevap
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.
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Anahtar Kavram
The social and religious developments of the Chesapeake colonies, specifically the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649.
İpuçları
1
Recall which religious group founded Maryland and what challenges they faced as Protestant immigration increased.
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