Final answer:
The Puritans banished Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson for challenging church rules and theological interpretations, which reflected early American struggles between individual conscience and theocratic rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the Puritans were 'right' to banish Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson for breaking the rules of the church is a complex one that touches upon issues of religious freedom, the role of the state in enforcing orthodoxy, and the dynamics of power within a theocratic society. Roger Williams faced banishment for his beliefs in the separation of church and state, and his view that the state could not punish individuals for their beliefs. He also questioned the Puritan's taking of Native American land, challenging core Puritan practices and property claims. Anne Hutchinson, on the other hand, held theological positions deemed heretical by the Puritan authorities—namely, her criticism of Puritan ministers for emphasizing a covenant of works over a covenant of grace and her belief in direct divine revelation, which threatened the established religious order.
The repercussions were severe for both Williams and Hutchinson: Williams was found guilty of spreading 'dangerous ideas' and went on to found Rhode Island, a haven for religious dissenters, while Hutchinson was tried, convicted, and ultimately banished for her defiance of Puritan authority. They were both seen as threats to the Puritan 'holy experiment' during the Antinomian Controversy. The broader historical outcome shows the importance of tolerance and freedom of thought, as Rhode Island became known for its religious pluralism, compared to the Massachusetts Bay Colony's history of intolerance, exemplified in events like the Salem witch trials. The expulsion of Williams and Hutchinson reflects the struggles between individual conscience and theocratic rule in early American history.