Background
In 1636, Roger Williams founded Rhode Island. Williams was a strong advocate of religious freedom and the separation of church and state; this was one of the reasons Rhode Island came to be one of the colonies. Rhode Island was also one of the New England colonies but never became a Royal Colony. The city of Providence was of great importance because of the religious actions taken place there by Ann Hutchinson and Roger Williams. Rhode Island is located on the east coast of North America and its flat hills and lowlands made farming almost impossible, except for the harvest of pumpkins, rye, squash, and beans.
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People
Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson were two important people for the Rhode Island Colony. Roger Williams was born in London, England in 1603. His views as a religious leader caused him to be banished from the Church of England. On October 7, 1635, Williams was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony. He founded the colony because of the separation of church and state. Roger Williams promised freedom of worship in his colony. He died in March of 1683. Anne Hutchinson was a person of religious influence for Rhode Island. She originally started her journey in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her religious views were considered suspicious and she was excommunicated from the Boston Church. Hutchinson and her family were invited by Roger Williams to move to Rhode Island.
Religious Affiliations & Implications
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who advocated religious freedom. In 1636, he founded the colony Providence Plantation that allowed tolerance for religious minorities. The first Baptist church in America, the First Baptist Church of Providence, was founded by Williams. Rhode Island government prided itself in the separation of church and state. The colony itself became a safe haven for Quakers, Baptists, and Jews.
Economics
The economy of Rhode Island is based off of agriculture and manufacturing. Livestock, dairy, fishing, and lumbering proved to provide for the people of the old colony. Whale oil became valuable because it could be used in lamps.
Primary Source
Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, solemnly writes to the Town of Providence with regards to addressing mistakes that had been made in the New World in order to keep peace as the primary practice of the new societies.
Modern Connections
To this day, agriculture and livestock are stable ways of lifestyle for the people of Rhode Island. However, the state is more bustling and busy which calls for a more involved farm life.