Final answer:
Anne Hutchinson was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to her theological beliefs and criticism of Puritan practices. Her views on the covenant of grace contrasted with the clergy's endorsement of a covenant of works, leading to her exile and eventual death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of the conflict between Puritan leaders and Anne Hutchinson stemmed from her criticism of the ministers' teachings in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hutchinson advocated for the concept of a "covenant of grace," as opposed to the "covenant of works" that she believed the Puritan ministers were promoting. This idea emphasized personal spiritual insights over the strict moral codes and hierarchical structures of the colony. Her theological discussions, termed "theological salons," along with claims to divine revelations, were viewed with suspicion by the Puritan authorities. Ultimately, this led to her trial and subsequent banishment.
As a result of the conflict, Anne Hutchinson was tried and convicted of heresy and dissent against the Puritan oligarchy in November 1637. In 1638, she was excommunicated and banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, leading her to move to Rhode Island and later Long Island, where she tragically met her end in an Indian raid. The conflict highlighted the intolerance of dissent within the Puritan community and the severe consequences for those challenging the established order.
Despite those internal religious conflicts, such as the one with Anne Hutchinson and the darker episode of the Salem witch trials, the Puritan colonies succeeded in establishing self-sustaining communities with their intended religious and economic goals.