What principle was championed by Roger Williams in Rhode Island?

Roger Williams was a significant figure in early American history, particularly known for advocating the principle of separation of church and state. He believed that individuals should have the freedom to practice their religion without government interference, a revolutionary idea at the time. Williams argued that the state should not impose religious beliefs on its citizens and that a person's relationship with God should be voluntary and free from coercion.

By establishing Rhode Island, he created a refuge for those seeking religious liberty, allowing for a variety of faiths to coexist peacefully. This commitment to separation of church and state laid important groundwork for the future development of religious freedom in the United States, influencing the First Amendment of the Constitution.

The other principles listed do not capture the essence of Williams' contributions. Taxation without representation relates more to the grievances leading to the American Revolution. Manifest destiny deals with the 19th-century belief in the expansion of the United States across North America, and nationalism pertains to a sense of pride and identity related to a nation, which are concepts that do not connect directly to Williams' fundamental advocacy of religious and governmental separation.