U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

Who was an early advocate for religious freedom in America?

1. William Penn

2. John Winthrop

3. Thomas Jefferson

4. Benjamin Franklin

The correct answer is: William Penn

William Penn was an early advocate for religious freedom in America, particularly known for founding Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers and other religious minorities. He believed strongly in the principle of religious tolerance and incorporated it into the government of Pennsylvania. In his Frame of Government, Penn established a system where individuals could practice their faith freely without fear of persecution, which was quite revolutionary for the time. His commitment to advocacy for religious freedom is rooted in his own experiences with oppression due to his Quaker beliefs in England, leading him to seek a place where he could enjoy and ensure others could enjoy the liberty to worship freely. This commitment laid the groundwork for broader concepts of religious liberty that would influence American ideals in the years to come. In contrast, John Winthrop, though a prominent figure in the early days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, promoted a model of a "Christian society" that often left little room for dissenting beliefs. Thomas Jefferson is known for advocating for religious freedom later, particularly through his drafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, but he came into prominence after Penn's establishment of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin made significant contributions to American society, including promoting religious tolerance, but it was Penn who was most directly associated with the founding principles of religious