Roger Williams founded Providence Plantations.
Roger Williams, an English-born New England Puritan minister, theologian, and author, established Providence Plantations in 1636 after being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his radical views on religious freedom and separation of church and state.
The Evolution of Providence Plantations
Providence Plantations was a unique settlement characterized by its commitment to religious freedom and fair dealings with Native Americans, principles that were revolutionary for the time. Over time, this original settlement evolved:
- Providence Plantations: The initial settlement founded by Roger Williams.
- Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: The formal colonial entity that developed from Providence Plantations and other nearby settlements, established by a royal charter in 1663. This charter guaranteed a high degree of self-governance and religious liberty.
- State of Rhode Island: After the American Revolution, the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became the State of Rhode Island, maintaining its foundational principles of independence and religious tolerance.
Roger Williams' vision laid the groundwork for one of America's most liberal and tolerant colonies, making a lasting impact on the development of religious freedom in the United States.
