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Handout C: Map of Disestablishment in the United States

Map of Disestablishment in the United States

Directions: Based upon the information provided for each state, color the map on the next page according to the information below and then answer the questions that follow.

Green: Never created an established church during the colonial era before 1776.
Blue: Disestablished the official church between 1776 and 1800.
Yellow: Disestablished the official church after 1800.

Connecticut: 1818
Delaware: Never created an established church
Georgia: 1798
Maryland: 1810
Massachusetts: 1833
New Hampshire: 1819
New Jersey: Never created an established church
New York: 1777
North Carolina: 1776
Pennsylvania: Never created an established church
Rhode Island: Never created an established church
South Carolina: 1790
Virginia: 1786

(Map in PDF)

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Why did states disestablish their churches at different times in history?
  2. How do you explain that certain states continued to have established churches after the First Amendment was ratified?
  3. Did the principles of the American Founding lead toward a movement for establishment or disestablishment of official churches? Why? Refer to the quotes in Handout B or the map in Handout C to support your answers.