How did religious intolerance manifest in British North America?

Religious intolerance in British North America manifested through laws, social discrimination, and violent persecution of non-Protestant groups.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, British North America was predominantly Protestant, and this religious preference was reflected in the laws and social norms of the time. The Church of England was the established church in several colonies, and dissenters were often subject to legal penalties. For instance, in Virginia, the Act of Uniformity in 1662 required all citizens to attend Anglican services, and those who refused could face fines or imprisonment. Similarly, in Massachusetts, the Puritan leaders established a theocratic society where religious dissent was not tolerated. Quakers, Baptists, and other non-Puritan groups were often banished, fined, or even executed.

Religious intolerance was not only institutionalised but also deeply ingrained in the social fabric of the colonies. Non-Protestant groups, such as Catholics and Jews, were often marginalised and faced social discrimination. Catholics, in particular, were viewed with suspicion due to their allegiance to the Pope, which was seen as a threat to the Protestant establishment. This led to the passing of laws that restricted their rights, such as the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, which, despite its name, only granted religious freedom to Trinitarian Christians and threatened death to those who denied the divinity of Jesus.

Violent persecution was another manifestation of religious intolerance. The Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts in 1692 is a notorious example. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 people, most of whom were women, on charges of witchcraft. The trials were fuelled by religious hysteria and intolerance towards those who did not conform to the strict Puritan norms.

In conclusion, religious intolerance in British North America was a complex issue that was deeply rooted in the legal, social, and cultural fabric of the colonies. It manifested in various ways, including legal penalties for religious dissent, social discrimination against non-Protestant groups, and violent persecution of those deemed heretical or non-conforming.