Which founder established Rhode Island in 1636?

Rhode Island was established in 1636 by Roger Williams, who was a key figure in advocating for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Williams, a Puritan minister, faced persecution in Massachusetts for his views, including the belief that individuals should have the right to worship freely without government interference.

Seeking to create a haven for those who were similarly persecuted for their beliefs, Williams founded the settlement that would eventually become Rhode Island. His principles of religious tolerance and civil rights became foundational ideals for the colony, distinguishing it from others in New England at the time, which often enforced strict religious conformity. This commitment to religious freedom attracted a diverse group of settlers, helping to shape the colony's character and values.

The other individuals mentioned were significant figures in American colonial history but were associated with different regions or movements. William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers; Ponce de Leon was an explorer known for his expeditions in Florida, and John Winthrop was a governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which had a much more rigid religious framework than Williams' Rhode Island.