Final answer:
The Middle and Southern Colonies were known for their religious diversity, with the Middle being the most diverse due to patterns of Dutch settlement and later immigration. The Southern Colonies also had a variety of religions, influenced by events like the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. The New England colonies were less diverse religiously, with strict Calvinist beliefs in Massachusetts and some religious tolerance in Rhode Island.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious Diversity in Colonial America
During the colonial period, religious diversity was particularly notable in the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. The Middle Colonies, which included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, were characterized by high levels of ethnic and religious diversity. This was partly due to the patterns of settlement under Dutch rule and partly from patterns of immigration after the English took control. New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were the most heterogeneous in terms of religious practices. The Middle Colonies were known for their pragmatic, accommodative, and tolerant approach to religious differences, allowing a variety of religions to coexist.
In the Southern Colonies, which included Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, there was also a variety of religions, although perhaps initially less so than in the Middle Colonies. Over time, the Southern Colonies saw an increase in religious pluralism, influenced by factors such as the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom authored by Thomas Jefferson.
However, the New England colonies, especially Massachusetts, were less religiously diverse due to the predominance of strict Calvinist beliefs. While Rhode Island did offer religious diversity and tolerance, it was more the exception than the rule in New England.
Given this information, the question: In what two regions were there a variety of religions? The answer is B. New England colonies and Middle Colonies.