Question

Imagine you have to write a research paper on religious intolerance throughout US history. Which groups might be your focus?

Answer 1

Catholics would be a good bet. Most early Americans came to the continent in order to freely express their Protestant faith. Many were from England (predominantly Anglicans) and Germany (predominantly Lutheran). In time Catholic immigrants started pouring in from Ireland and Italy. At first, Catholics were highly persecuted due to religious conflict still present in the hearts of early Americans. Many Americans also feared that Catholics would commit treachery against the United States government because of their loyalty to the Vatican.