How Did The Puritans Influence Roger Williams

Roger Williams, of England, is widely known for his opposition of the Church of England. Throughout his life, Williams studied Puritanism extensively, but later became a Separatist and was determined to spread his beliefs. Williams strongly opposed the Anglican Church of England because of how stringent and powerful they were. Soon after departing England and arriving in the new world, in 1635, Roger Williams was banned from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The beliefs that he taught to the people of Salem and Plymouth, were considered a threat to the Puritan churches in the state, and the Puritans had no tolerance for his cultivation. Roger Williams purchased land from the Narragansett Indians, where he would begin his own colony, named “Providence Plantations”. Williams, unlike most, had a favorable relationship with the Natives, believed in separation of church and state, and had advanced plans for his colony. The creation of the colony, Providence Plantations, is greatly credited to Roger Williams.

After being outlawed from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Roger Williams and his followers met with a group of Narragansett Natives who helped them survive. Williams had great respect prior to his encounters with the Natives because of his knowledge of them. Williams originally wanted to be a missionary for the Natives and studied their customs and religion, however, once he learned more about this unique group of people, he decided that it was best to allow the Natives to live how they wished. He also made an effort to befriend them by learning their language and trying to communicate with them, which led to the purchase of land. In 1636, they named their new land “Providence Plantations”, because they believed the new land was a gift from god. Roger William’s strong bond with the Natives was a major cultural advancement for the English