Who called for the complete separation of church and state, leading to the founding of Providence, Rhode Island?

The correct answer is Roger Williams, who was a key figure in advocating for the complete separation of church and state during the early 17th century. Williams, a Puritan minister, believed that the government should not have any authority over religious matters and that individuals should be free to practice their faith without state interference. This belief stemmed from his experiences in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he faced persecution for his views on religious liberty and the treatment of Indigenous peoples.

In 1636, as a result of his dissenting opinions, Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He subsequently founded Providence, Rhode Island, where he established a community based on principles of religious tolerance and freedom, marking one of the first instances in America where church and state were formally separated. Providence would later become a refuge for various religious minorities, exemplifying Williams' vision of a society free from religious persecution.

Contextually, other figures mentioned in the options had different focuses. Anne Hutchinson also advocated for religious autonomy but did not emphasize the separation of church and state to the same extent. William Penn founded Pennsylvania with a focus on religious freedom, particularly for Quakers, but his colony was still somewhat tied to a religious framework. John Locke, while influential in political