Final answer:
Stuyvesant was ordered to observe a policy of religious tolerance as a response to diverse settlement patterns in New Netherland and external threats. This shift was in line with the Dutch reputation for tolerance, despite Stuyvesant's initial autocratic and intolerant governance style which hindered the colony's growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious Tolerance and Stuyvesant's Leadership
Peter Stuyvesant was the Director-General of the Dutch colony of New Netherland from 1647 until it was ceded to the English in 1664. Unlike his contemporary colonial leaders, Stuyvesant was known for his lack of tolerance towards religious diversity, often persecuting dissenters who did not conform to the Dutch Reformed Church. Notwithstanding his firm stance, Stuyvesant was eventually compelled to adopt policies of religious tolerance under pressure from the colonists and in response to threats from external forces. The turn towards tolerance was also a pragmatic decision to maintain social order and political stability in the face of the colony's ethnic and religious diversity. This policy was a characteristic of the Dutch approach, which fostered a relatively more inclusive society compared to some other colonies at the time, and set an example that others like the English would follow upon gaining control of the area.
New Netherland's reputation for religious toleration attracted a wide variety of settlers, contributing to its diverse population. Nevertheless, the colony's growth was stagnated by a combination of factors, including the absence of strong incentives for Dutch citizens to emigrate due to favorable conditions in the Netherlands itself, and the autocratic governance established by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC), as embodied in Stuyvesant's leadership.
In broader colonial America, the philosophy of religious freedom began to take root, particularly manifesting in documents such as the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 and Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. These actions collectively reflected a growing revolutionary sentiment against religious supremacy and promoted the principle of liberty in religious belief and practice.