Colonial+Rhode+Island

=**Geography**= The colony of Rhode Island, was located in the New England area of the 13 colonies. It boarders the colonies of Massachusetts, and Conneticut. It is located on the Atlantic Coast line. Most of the cities of Rhode Island developed either on the coast or on the banks of the Providence River, the main river in Rhode Island. The colony was not proper suited for farming, because of the thin and rocky soil that covered New England. Because of the farming situation New England colonists became great fisherman of the Atlantic ocean. The winters of Rhode Island were also harsh and cold, with much snow covering the region. Though farming was hard for the colony, it still managed to flourish due to its location on the Atlantic Ocean, which provided much trade.

=**﻿History**= In 1636 the first settelers landed in Rhode Island, and were greated by native americans. Roger Williams the first settler came from The Massachusettes Bay Colony. He had been banished from Massachusettes, after being branded a hetoric and forced to leave the colony. He brought a handful of his followers with him and made a settlement at the head of the Narragansett river. He named it Providence. The colony was dedicated to religious freedom and democratic government. Williams also wanted the colony to practice good relations with the indians, which caused them to trade often. Anne Hutchinson another person who had come to Rhode Island after being banished from Massachusettes for heresy. Hutchinson and her group of followers settled on the island of Auqidneck at the mouth of the Pro = = vidence River, they formed the town of Pocasett. A group of followers also broke off from Hutchinson and founded the town of Newport. The five settlements of Rhode Island all fought for land and the ability to speak for the colony of Rhode Island as a whole. The only thing the settlements shared in common was a belief in religious equality, which was extremely different from all of the other colonies. Religious freedom was the reason all the settlers had fleed to Rhode Island. Because of this all other New England Colonies believe that Rhode Island was a colony for criminals and heretics, and that it provided refuge for all of those who would not be accepted in the other colonies of the region. The economy of Rhode Island was mostly based on agriculture, fishing and especially dairy farming. Lumber and ship building also started to become rising businesses. So did the distillation of rum, as Rhode Island was apart of the triangle trade and sent the rum to africa to be sold. The first system of laws in Rhode Island was the Portsmouth Compact, then as more settlements were founded Rhode Island united for independence. And formed the Colony of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations. Which was governed by an elected council and an elected president. There were four main indian tribes that lived in the area, the [|Wampanoag], [|Pequots] , [|Narragansett] , and [|Nipmuck]. And Squanto a native of the Wampanoag tribe stayed with the pilgrims and helped them to survive in the area.

=**Economics**= Rhode Island’s colonial economy was highly dependent on trade. Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Cities, such as Newport and Bristol, quickly became flourishing seaports due to deep harbors. Merchants conducted operations throughout the British Empire, trading staples of Rhode Island’s mercantile fishing economy. After the inception of the triangular trade, Rhode Island’s principal form of commerce became slaves. Slaves would arrive into Rhode Island ports, where they would be sold and shipped to planation in the north and south. This practice would continue until the abolition of slavery in the early 19th century.

=**Social**= Rhode Island was a colony dedicated to maintaining democratic rule and religious reform. As a re sult, a diversity of religious and ethnic groups became prevalent. Puritans, Quakers, Jews, and Catholics lived side by side each other, speaking a variety of languages that included English, French, and Dutch. Like in all societies, the family was a key unit. Married women, however, had very few legal rights. Widows, however, were permitted to conduct business in order to maintain their families.

=**Political**= A charter is document of authority outlining the conditions under which a colony is organized. In 1663, John Clarke, a merchant from Newport, received a royal charter from King Charles II for all settlements of Rhode Island. The charter established a colony with democratic and laissez-faire policies and would act as a constitution for the settlement until the mid-19th century.

=**Terms**=
 * 1) Triangle Trade – A three-way trade route between the colonies, England, and West Africa. Colonies (raw materials)  Europe (manufacture goods) Africa (Slaves) Colonies.
 * 2) Salutary Neglect- The British policy of not stricily adhering and enforcing established laws to maintain colonial loyality.
 * 3) Mercantilism – Colonies exist for the betterment of the mother country. Colonies send raw materials to the mother country which sells back these materials as finished goods and profits off of the colonists.
 * 4) Great Awakening – Christian revitalization movement begun by Johnathan Edwards in Massachussets. He said that faith in god, not through doing good works, could help one attain eternal salvation.
 * 5) Cash Crops- A crop grown for profit. (i.e. tobbaco in Virginia).

=French And Indian War=

People from Rhode Island weren't effected much in the french and indian war. Some fought against the french but for the most part the location of the colony left it un scathed. However the war did have a psychological effect on Rhode Islanders, it caused them to get an idea of freedom in their heads. And start to realize that they did not need Britain to survive and they would be better off on their own. Rhode Island was one of the leading colonies in the fight against the British for freedom. Mosts Rhode Islanders were patriots and fought hard for freedom.

=Revolution=

William West a general, was a Rhode Islander whom was extremely involved in the war. His main job was to rid the area near the mouth of the providence river of tories, loyalists and other crown supporters. Rhode Island was much involved in fighting against British ships whom had taken control of newport and the mouth of the providence river. They were also extremely involved in the battle of rhode island to gain complete control of the colony back. Rhode Island also became the center of French forces when they started to support the Colonies in the war. Rhode Island played a big part in the war as they were one of the first colonies to want to fight for freedom however, they were one of the last to sign the constitution.

sources : "Rhode Island" //American History//.ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 20 Sept. 2011.