Countries That Have Claimed Rhode Island

Rhode Island has been claimed by four powers:

• England – Giovanni da Verrazzano (1524); Roger Williams founded Providence Plantation (1636).
• Netherlands – trading post on Aquidneck Island “Nieuw Holland” (1636–1654).
• France – colony on Block Island (1658–1674).
• United States – original colony; became a state in 1790.