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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Primary Analysis 1112-02: Roger Williams

Examine the letter written by Roger Williams.  Then, comment on it, sharing your thoughts.

  • Which themes in the letter relate back to the themes and ideas within the Chapter 3 reading?  
  • List 2 things within the letter you thought were important ideas relating back to Unit 2?  
  • What does the document reveal about life in the United States in the time it was written?  What evidence within the document demonstrates this?

27 comments:

Brian said...

Some themes and ideas that are related in this reading and Chapter 3 are the persecution and intolerance of other faiths in some of the colonies. The biggest was the Massachusetts Bay colony, which is why Roger Williams founded a new colony where everyone could worship as they please.

2 things that were important were: the fact that Roger Williams included jews as equals and Providence somewhat combined theories of religion and government.

The document reveals that life in the colonies was difficult because there were so many different faiths and beliefs so close together, which was completely new to the settlers. They all attempted to be at the top. There were very few, one of which was Roger Williams as can be seen throughout, who was accepting of all faiths.

Willy said...

Religious intolerance and unequalness are important thems that relate to chapter three.

Two important things that relate to unit 2 are that Roger Williams was religiously tolerant and he founded Rhode Island as a place of refugee for Jews, Turks, Protestants, and Papists.

This letter from Roger Williams shows that the U.S. was not religiously tolerant then. In the letter it states that "The commander or commanders may judge, resist, compel, and punsih such transgressors, according to their deserts and merits."

Rob Lazzaro said...

The most important theme in the letter that can relate back to the chapter 3 reading is that the United States was going through a time when people were beginning to explore religions that were different then the “normal”. This was normally NOT tolerated For example, the members of The Massachusetts Bay Colony were not in favor of the other religions being practiced which caused clashes among the people.

One important thing that relates back to unit 2 is that Rodger Williams actually saw this as a problem and he created Rhode Island and advertised it as a colony were people would be able to freely practice any religion. Also, people were beginning to consider the possible separation of civil and religious authority.

This document shows that life in the United States at this time was not at all easy. People were often told what religion to practice, and if they didn’t practice it they were beaten and punished. Rodger Williams saw the wrong in this and he had no patience for it, he wanted to create a colony where anyone was able to practice any religion. The document says, “Although many of the first pilgrims were exceedingly intolerant of faiths different from their own, one of the earliest settlers, Rodger Williams, actually subscribed to the idea of religious freedom.”

matt hollo said...

Some themes in this letter that relate back to chapter 3 are yet again religious freedom. The persecution of people who believe in other religions wasn't tolerated. Roger Williams Created the Massachusetts Bay Colony for the people who had different beliefs.

2 things within the letter i think are important that relate back to unit 2 are that there was developing government in province and that people of different religions were beginning to be appreciated, maybe not much but it was a start.

This document reveals that the U.S. did not tolerate the practice of other religions. The government told you what religion to practice. Roger Williams wanted to change this so he created the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Marissa Esposito said...

-Some themes in the letter that relate back to the Chapter 3 reading are that the settlers are trying to force the Pilgrims into a religion they believe in,Puritanism. They try to persuade them that Puritanism is the only religion you should believe in and follow.
-Two things that were important within the letter and related back to Unit 2 include:Roger Williams stood up for the persecuted Pilgrims because he realized it was wrong to force them to believe in Puritanism, and that Roger Williams belive that if the Pilgrims don't believe in the same religion that the commanders shouldn't punish them for that.
-This document reveals about the United States in the time it was written, that coming to America, specifically the Massachussetts Bay Colony, wasn't easy. That is becuase whoever came across the Atlantic to the New World would be persecuted if they did not believe in Puritanism. In the letter it states,"Papists, Protestants, Jews, or Turks be forced to come to the ship's prayers or worship". This shows if the people didn't belive in Puritanism they would be persuaded and persectuted into believing in that religion.

Abby Lynch said...

This letter relates to how Roger Williams made Rhode Island a place for people to go when they were unwelcome anywhere else, like Anne Hutchinson. roger Williams made this a place of "freedom of oppurtunity" where there was freedom of religon and you could be who you wanted to be.

Two important ideas I saw in the letter from Unit two were that there was freedom of religon and equal oppurtunities for everyone.

This Letter shows that in the United States at this time there was alot of religous contraversy. There were many groups of people who had very strong belifes and specific ideas. So the fact that Roger Williams now made Providence a place for unwelcome peopple o go was a big deal. I know this because Roger Williams says in his letter "that none of the Paptists, Protestants, Jews or Turks be forced to come to the ships prayers or worship, nor compell from their own paticular prayers or worship".

Owaiss L. said...

Some themes that relate back to chapter 3 is absolutely no tolerance to other religions. In Williams' letter, he states how he wishes that anyone boarding the ship will not be forced to convert or start practicing the captains religion. Another theme i found was how people were beginning to accept other religions in america. this letter is mainly about Williams telling the people he is writing to, to become more tolerant of other religions. those are the themes I found in this passage.

2 things that i found important were: 1, Williams stood up for the diversity on the ship and disagreed with anyone on that ship to be forced to change religion. And 2, he believed that everyone should have religious freedom anywhere.

I think that this letter revealed that at this time, life in america began to change dramatically. At first, the Catholics viewed the Muslims and Turks as infidels. Now, the Europeans living in america began accepting other religions which was unheard in Europe at this time.

Damian Litwa said...

The most important theme in this letter by Roger Williams is the exploration of religions. People went to rhode island back then because of its freedom of religion while the Massachusetts Bay Colony only allowed puritans to practice their religion. As a result many were offended by these religions causing conflict.

Two important things from this letter was that roger williams new people were in search for religious freedom so he made rhode island a place for everyone to practice there own religion. Also, people were starting separate civil and religious authority.

Life in America was really hard because of no religious freedom given to people during that time causing conflict, but roger williams saw this problem and created his own colony where religious freedom was allowed.

Zack Sirowich said...

The themes in the letter that relate back to the themes and ideas within the Chapter 3 reading are inequality and a melting pot society. Roger Williams offers a place for many religions to come together without having them join religions.

1.Roger Williams stood up for racial diversity, and everyone being equal.
2.Roger Williams offered a place for different ethnic groups to practice their religion equally.

The document reveals that life in the United States was by far religiously different from England. People were allowed to practice their religion's in some places without having the fear of having to switch religions. It says, "I remain studious of your common peace and liberty." This is Roger Williams saying that he respects other religious beliefs besides his and he's willing to stand up for it.

Nicole E said...

Themes that are found in the letter that connect back to those in chapter 3 are the intolerance for religion that many people (including Pilgrims) had, and that Roger Williams actually strove for religious tolerance and provided a place for those of various religions in Rhode Island.

Two things that I found important in the letter were that Roger Williams provided a haven in Rhode Island for people of different faiths (including Jews) and that Williams stood up for himself by speaking his mind saying how "civil and religious authority should be separated".

The document exposes that America in the 1650's did not accept certain religions, like in the Massachusetts Bay colony. That was until Roger Williams arrived and created a sanctuary for people of varying faiths". This conveys how most sections of the U.S. were religiously intolerant, but in Rhode Island, people of various faiths were welcome.

Nick Kuzia said...
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Nick Kuzia said...

Important themes that relate back to Chapter 3 are intolerance for religions other than the "normal" and the fact that people were thought of as unequal.

2 ideas from this letter that relate back to Unit 2 include: Roger Williams making a place for many different people (including Jews) to settle and not be afraid of being persecuted for their religious beliefs and that Providence was the start of a New, New World.

The document reaveals that America had not been developed enough to have any tolerance for religion until Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams. It expressed the feelings that citizens had toward religions and how they would be treated if they had not blieved in what they were supposed to.

haleyhicks said...

-two themes that relate back chapter three are one,prosecution of people of other religions because they didn't tolerate it.two, how people still were not being considered equal.
-unit two relates to the letter in two ways one, everyone being equal(Roger Williams) and two, that everyone should have religious freedom.
-i think that the main thing this letter showed was change. i think this because now there was starting to be way more exceptance.

Rebecca M said...

The themes in this letter that relate back to the themes and ideas of chapter 3 are religon.

Two things in the letter that i thought were important ideas relationg back to unit 2 were "prayers and worship" the people did a lot of praying and worshiping to god. religon was very important to them. also, "justice, peace, and sobriety be kept practiced."

this letter tells us that the united states at that time was wanting to be peaceful with one another and used religon to do it and other ways.

the evidence in the letter that demonstrates this is when it says, "concerning their common peace or preservation." and, "common peace and liberty."

Giggles said...

The themes that relate back to the themes and ideas in Chapter 3 are: the first pilgrims refusal to accept other religions and faiths other than their own as well as other religions’ refusal to associate with other religions other than their own.

Two ideas that I thought were important details relating back to unit 2 are: the fact that people were unwilling to accept each others differences and the need for someone to step up and take charge.

This document revels the stubbornness of the people to accept each others difference’s to the point where they convict each other of heresy because their religion is different. This is expressed in Williams’ letter when he states, “ the commander of this ship ought to command the ship’s course, yea, and also command that justice, peace, and sobriety be kept and practiced, both among the seamen and all the passengers.” He was trying to make the people understand that in order to form this new world we need to forget our differences and come together.

TheRobBrito said...

A theme that is related to chapter is religious intolerance and poeple (puritans) thinking there is only one way and its the puritan way.

Important things were Roger Williams creating creating a place for all people to come and believe what they wanted. And that they shouldnt be forced to follow the puritan way or anything they didnt believe in.

This document reveals that such ideas of differences and diversity were starting to emerge in the colonies. The religious freedom of roger williams' rhode island showed this idea.

Makayla O'Hara said...

The theme in the letter that relates back to the themes and ideas within the chapter 3 reading is religious freedom. Roger Williams gave freedom to religions.

2 things within the letter i thought were important ideas relating back to unit 2 were that Williams gave freedom to many religions and that Williams did what he thought was right even though there were going to be consequences.

The document reveals that life in the United States in the time it was written was tough because religions did not have the freedom that they have now. The document states, "...many of the first pilgrims were exceedingly intolerant of faiths different than their own..." meaning they did not feel that other faiths should have freedom. They only thought about themselves.

caittrzaski said...

A theme that relates to Roger Williams letter from the reading in Chapter 3 is religious freedom intolerance. That is why in 1636, Williams fled to Providence where was complete freedom of religion from the Jews to the Catholics.

2 important things that relate back to Unit 2 are how Roger Williams gave religious freedom and refuge for Quakers, Jews, and many other religions and how Rhode Island became "individualistic" and independent compared to the colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The letter from Roger Williams reveals that life in the colonies is unfair with religion tolerance. "...if any should preach or write that there ought to be no commanders or officers, because all are equal in Christ..commanders may judge, resist, compel, and punish such transgressors..."

Jake Walkinshaw said...

Some themes that relate to chapter three is that of the quest for religious tolerance. This is what roger williams was in search of and is the reason he founded Rhode Island.
Two things that I Found were important in this is that Williams saw Jewish people as equal members of society while most of the world and colonies did not. Also that he supported the religious feelings of the Pilgrims while Massachusetts Bay colony did not.

This letter that Williams wrote shows that the US did not have any religious tolerance towards people other than the Puritans up until Roger Williams comes along and founds Rhode Island. The letter states "I pleaded for that none of the Paptists, Protestants, Jews, or Turks, be forced to come to the ships prayers or worships.

Katie P said...

Roger Williams believed that although people differ in religion, they are united under the law. This is demonstrated in his description of a ship filled with a variety of religions, but still has a commander who: "ought to command the ship's course...and also command that justice, peace, and sobriety be kept and practiced". Williams's belief is what lead to the founding of Rhode Island, a "strongly individualistic and stubbornly independent" colony which offered "remarkable freedom of opportunity" unparalleled by any other New England colony, as discussed in Chap. 3.

Two important ideas in the letter that relate back to Unit 2 include the idea of religious freedom and human liberty.

This document reveals that most people in the U.S. around 1655 did not accept the religion of others when it differed from their own (favored religious intolerance), and Roger Williams opposed this. Williams wrote, "...that none of the Papists, Protestants, Jews, or Turks be forced to come to the ship's prayers or worship, nor compelled from their own particular prayers or worship, if they practice any". Williams's underlying belief in the letter was that the true picture of a commonwealth falls not in the hands of religion, but the hands of society.

KC Backus said...

Themes that relate to both the chapter and letter are that of religious intolerance. In the already populated areas of America people were being persecuted for having different religious faiths. There fore Williams went and formed Rhode Island so people could have there own religious beliefs.

2 important things I think are who Williams included as equals (Jews, Turks, Baptists, and Protestants) and how he thought everyone from Captain of the ship to just a traveler should get equal punishment for wrongs they have done.

This letter reveals that life in these colonies wasn't too fond of people with different religious beliefs.

Claudia Majkner said...

Themes and ideas in this letter relating back to chapter three include how other faiths practically weren't allowed in most colonies, so Roger Williams founded a colony in order to escape the intolerance.

Two important things that relate to unit two are that Roger Williams founded a colony that welcomed all religions, and that he believed all people were equal in the eyes of Christ.

This document from Roger Williams states that life in the colonies were awful to people of other religions that weren't Christian, especially the Jewish people. It also talked about how the witch hunts were starting, which frightened people.

kamila z said...

Some themes in this letter that relate back to chapter three is the religious freedom.In the Massachusetts Bay Colony the only religion people could believe was Puritanism.But in Rhode Island there was religious freedom, and how Rhode Island was a place that people could go and practice their religion.

Two important ideas I saw in the letter from unit two were,that there were different religions and they were able to practice them.And that Roger Williams stood up for the different people and religions so that everyone would be treated equal.

I think that the document reveals that that there was change going on during this time in the U.S. People were starting to have a voice in what they thought was right and that they would be with everyone else and the evidence is Roger Williams making Rhode Island a place for any religion.

Lee M said...
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Lee M said...

Important themes and ideas throughout this document are the high religious intolerance of colonies, especially that of by the Massachusetts Bay colony.

One important idea in the letter I saw was Roger William's vision of religious freedom and tolerance. Another important idea I recognized was the earliest idea of separation of church and state in colonies.

This letter reveals that the United States at this point was still highly intolerable of other religions besides their own. It also shows the earliest signs of separating church and state. Evidence of this in the document is," I pleaded for, turns upon these two hinges-that none of Paptisrs, Protestants, Jews, or Turks be forced to come to the ship's prayers or worship...".

Claudia Valenti said...

The theme of religious persecution vs. religious tolerance in the colonies surfaces in both sources.



The religious persecution that Williams faced and the equality he called for in Providence were both important ideas. The idea of persecution of non-Puritan beliefs and the enforcement of more accepting societies are discussed often, in Williams' letter and in Unit 2.



This document reveals that life in the United States was very strictly persecuted when it came to religion; the Puritans were extremely intolerant of people who practiced religions and beliefs other than their own. It also reveals that there were forward thinkers among the intolerant Puritans: Roger Williams not only advocated religious freedom in his colony, but was wise enough to know that if people of different religions cannot live without trouble, then they should live as though there is no difference, with equal law for all. The evidence is in his letter:

"Thee goes many a ship to sea, with many hundred souls in one ship, whose weal and woe is common, and is a true picture of commonwealth... I say... the commander or commanders may judge, resist, compel, and punish such transgressors, according to their deserts and merits... this may let in some light to such as willingly shut not their eyes."

Kevin Saksa said...

1.Some themes in the letter that relate back to Chapter 3 are the pilgrims refusing to accept other religions and faiths other than their own.

2.Roger Williams stood up for racial diversity, and everyone being equal, he also made a place for different ethnic groups to practice their religion.

3.This document shows how the U.S. did not allow for the practice of other religions. The government told you what religion to practice. Roger Williams changed this by created the Massachusetts Colony.