In 1649, the Maryland assembly passed the Maryland Toleration Act, a landmark piece of legislation that mandated religious tolerance for all Christians in the colony. It was one of the first laws of its kind in the English colonies, reflecting the colony's founding as a haven for English Catholics. The act protected freedom of worship, though it also imposed a death penalty for blasphemy and heresy. It was a significant step toward the principle of religious freedom in America.

The Maryland Toleration Act is a key document in the history of religious freedom, a theme that has been explored in American poetry and prose. Its legacy is evident in the works of writers who celebrate the nation's pluralistic heritage. The act is often cited in literature that examines the development of American ideals of liberty and tolerance, serving as an early example of the struggle for religious freedom that would become a central theme in American culture.