US Religions and Distribution Mr. Westerfeld

Protestants The majority religion in the colonies was Protestantism. Protestants rejected many of the traditions and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholics did come later during the early 20th century from southern Europe (Italy, and Ireland)

Catholicism Catholics tended to settle in the North East and Southwest. Why? New Immigrants from Ireland and Italy arrived in New York and populated the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. The Spanish (Catholics) originally colonized the Southwestern states that the United States acquired in the Mexican-American War.

Lutherans Came from Germany and the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) These settlers tended to settle in the Northern Midwest (where land was available and agriculture/seasons were similar to their home countries in Northern Europe). No new settlers were attracted to this region.

Baptists Baptists (a form of Protestantism), has become the dominant religion of the American South. Adherants originally came from Western Europe and followed Calvinism. Developed due to no need for formal clergy in rural setting, also appealed to African Americans. No new immigrant groups moved-in to challenge the dominance of this group

Mormons, Church of Latter Day Saints Mormons have become the dominant religion of the Central West (Utah and surrounding states) Mormons originally migrated from New York to Illinois after persecution then left Illinois for the same reason. The site of their settlement was Salt Lake City in Utah. Why? Isolation from persecution. Unlikelihood of attracting competitors. Development of Churches and Universities attract adherents to this region.