Tolerance

History of U.S. Religious Tolerance

The notion of tolerance dates back to the colonial era and the first British settlements in North America. In England, people disagreeing with the Church of England were unable to obtain careers in the government or other esteemed professions. John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration elucidated the plight of the people during the [Page 2077]Protestant Reformation in England, and the view of many regarding the unfair and inappropriate power the church had over the government and politics. Locke's view was that life, liberty, health, and prosperity as civil interests superseded the importance of religion.

Separation between church and state became the first instance of tolerance in the colonial framework. The Toleration Act of 1649 in Maryland was passed in an effort to reduce the religious conflicts between the Catholics who founded Maryland and the Protestants moving to the colony for new opportunities. In an effort to maintain civility and respect for all colonists, the government tried to protect the right to freedom for minority religious groups.

Religious tolerance in the United States was riddled with stipulations. Tolerance was applicable for citizens, which only included free white men. Groups like the American Protective Association, the Know-Nothing Party, and the Immigrant Restriction League took a nativist approach to the diversity of the nation and were highly influential in government policy. Newcomers and immigrants, especially Catholic immigrants, were seen as threats to the cultural norms and values established within the nation.

Historical Factors Contributing to Racial Tolerance

During the Industrial Revolution, the immigrant population rose from 2.2 million in 1850 to 14.2 million in 1930. The U.S. government had implemented additional rules and regulations, such as the Naturalization Act of 1790 and the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, to ensure that American citizens maintained their dominance in political and economic situations. As the influx of different racial groups increased, the separatist views of nativists served as a means to disseminate racial, religious, and cultural intolerance in the nation.

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