Religious freedom was a goal in the colonial settlements of both Plymouth and Maryland. Puritans, who were English protestants and who opposed the Church England, travelled across the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower to America, seeking religious freedom rather than economic gain.
Calverts of Roman Catholic faith also fleeing religious persecution in England sailed to America and founded Maryland In 1632 , followed by a number of Protestants. In 1649, Maryland established the first religious toleration act to grant religious freedom in the colony.