Rhode Island was created in 1636 as a result of religious persecution. A group of English Puritans, led by Roger Williams, were exiled from the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay for their beliefs. Williams and his followers established a new colony on the land purchased from the Narragansett Native American tribe.
Purpose of Creation:
The purpose of creating Rhode Island was to establish a colony where religious freedom would be protected. Williams believed that individuals should be free to worship as they pleased and that the government should not interfere in religious matters. This principle of religious freedom became a fundamental part of Rhode Island's identity and attracted settlers from various religious backgrounds.
Roger Williams sought to create a haven where people of different faiths could live together peacefully and worship freely without government interference. He was particularly concerned about the separation of church and state and the idea of individual liberty of conscience. These principles became the cornerstone of Rhode Island's government and society, making it a pioneer in religious tolerance and freedom in colonial America.
