Rhode Island History

Rhode Island was first founded by Roger Williams in 1636.  He was kicked out of the Puritan colony of Plymouth for his radical beliefs. Williams first tried to settle just east of the Providence River, but was forced to eventually build on the western side of the Narragansett Bay. He purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and founded a settlement called Providence.
Rhode Island was the first American Colony that believed in the Freedom of Religion.  This led to a bad reputation because Massachusetts and Connecticut considered a place with free religion a place without morals and Rhode Island became an area where criminals lived (nickname- Rogue's Island).
Rhode Island was the first colony to separate from Britain. It was also the last colony to join the Union.  After the war it becames the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
More Rhode Island History
Rhode Island History Day
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