New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church & State, History, Americas, United States, Colonial Period (1600-1775)
Cover of the book New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty by Evan Haefeli, University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Evan Haefeli ISBN: 9780812208955
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc. Publication: April 8, 2013
Imprint: University of Pennsylvania Press Language: English
Author: Evan Haefeli
ISBN: 9780812208955
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.
Publication: April 8, 2013
Imprint: University of Pennsylvania Press
Language: English

The settlers of New Netherland were obligated to uphold religious toleration as a legal right by the Dutch Republic's founding document, the 1579 Union of Utrecht, which stated that "everyone shall remain free in religion and that no one may be persecuted or investigated because of religion." For early American historians this statement, unique in the world at its time, lies at the root of American pluralism.

New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty offers a new reading of the way tolerance operated in colonial America. Using sources in several languages and looking at laws and ideas as well as their enforcement and resistance, Evan Haefeli shows that, although tolerance as a general principle was respected in the colony, there was a pronounced struggle against it in practice. Crucial to the fate of New Netherland were the changing religious and political dynamics within the English empire. In the end, Haefeli argues, the most crucial factor in laying the groundwork for religious tolerance in colonial America was less what the Dutch did than their loss of the region to the English at a moment when the English were unusually open to religious tolerance. This legacy, often overlooked, turns out to be critical to the history of American religious diversity.

By setting Dutch America within its broader imperial context, New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty offers a comprehensive and nuanced history of a conflict integral to the histories of the Dutch republic, early America, and religious tolerance.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The settlers of New Netherland were obligated to uphold religious toleration as a legal right by the Dutch Republic's founding document, the 1579 Union of Utrecht, which stated that "everyone shall remain free in religion and that no one may be persecuted or investigated because of religion." For early American historians this statement, unique in the world at its time, lies at the root of American pluralism.

New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty offers a new reading of the way tolerance operated in colonial America. Using sources in several languages and looking at laws and ideas as well as their enforcement and resistance, Evan Haefeli shows that, although tolerance as a general principle was respected in the colony, there was a pronounced struggle against it in practice. Crucial to the fate of New Netherland were the changing religious and political dynamics within the English empire. In the end, Haefeli argues, the most crucial factor in laying the groundwork for religious tolerance in colonial America was less what the Dutch did than their loss of the region to the English at a moment when the English were unusually open to religious tolerance. This legacy, often overlooked, turns out to be critical to the history of American religious diversity.

By setting Dutch America within its broader imperial context, New Netherland and the Dutch Origins of American Religious Liberty offers a comprehensive and nuanced history of a conflict integral to the histories of the Dutch republic, early America, and religious tolerance.

More books from University of Pennsylvania Press, Inc.

Cover of the book How Governors Built the Modern American Presidency by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Ways of Writing by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book A Voice for Human Rights by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book "The Morgesons" and Other Writings, Published and Unpublished by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Reading Women by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book New Age Capitalism by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Child Soldiers in Africa by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Not in This Family by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book The Good Women of the Parish by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Cutting Along the Color Line by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Confronting Suburban School Resegregation in California by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book This Is Our Music by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Consuming Pleasures by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Middle Eastern Terrorism by Evan Haefeli
Cover of the book Before Orientalism by Evan Haefeli
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy