Examples Of Religious Tensions In My Antonia

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During the 19th century in which My Antonia takes place, religious and political tensions were high in America. Though America was founded on the idea of freedom for all, it was settled and divided by different religious sects. Having been settled first by Protestants and Puritans who left Europe due to persecution from Catholics, very few places in America tolerated Catholic immigrants. “The religious conflict that stands out in this period involves tensions between Catholics and Protestants, culminating in violence directed at Irish Catholic immigrants.” [1] Protestants were bitter and prejudice towards Catholics, even going as far as indoctrinating their children with bigotry. “Anti-Catholic venom was part of the typical American school