Anne Hutchinson was a prominent figure in the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for her strong religious convictions and her role in challenging the patriarchal structure of Puritan society. Arriving in 1634, she quickly became a significant voice in her community due to her interpretations of the Bible and her belief that one's relationship with God could be direct and personal, without the mediation of clergy. Hutchinson's gatherings attracted many followers, including both men and women, leading to increased scrutiny from the Puritan leaders, who feared that her ideas would undermine their authority and the colony's social order.

In 1637, Hutchinson was brought to trial for her beliefs and the influence she wielded. The trial was controversial, taking place amidst a backdrop of rising tensions between traditionalists and reformers within the colony. The proceedings exposed the deep divisions in the community, as Hutchinson defended her views with eloquence and conviction. However, the Puritan leadership found her ideas to be dangerously subversive. Despite her formidable arguments, in 1638, she was ultimately expelled from the colony, which was a significant event that highlighted the limits of religious freedom at the time.

After her expulsion, Hutchinson and her family moved to Rhode Island, where she continued to practice her beliefs. She later settled in New Netherland, where she faced further difficulties but remained a figure of religious independence. Hutchinson's trial and expulsion were pivotal moments in the history of religious dissent in America, illustrating the tension between individual beliefs and conformist society, and ultimately contributing to the development of the principle of religious liberty in later American ideals.