Rhode Island

When Anne Hutchinson and her followers came to Rhode Island, they established a new government that included trial by jury and seperation of the church and state. In 1651, governors were allowed to be voted by male landowners and had to be accepted by the King. In 1653, King Charles II officially granted the charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and it became a royal colony. In Rhode Island, the governor had the executive power. The governor had a council that was composed of powerful and influential men who advised and supported the Governor. They also had judicial and administrative powers. There was also an Assembly that was elected by citizens and represented counties and towns of Rhode Island. Last, town meetings were held to discuss local issues.

Social Life

After being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Roger Williams settled at the tip of the Narrgansett Bay which was granted to him by the Narragansett indians. He called this settlement Providence.

In Rhode Island and many other New England colonies, commons were found in the middle of the village or town that it was in. These commons were used for people to gather before and after meetings. The meetinghouses were located on the commons. These towns and villages also let their cattle graze on the commons. Commons provided an oppurtunity to gather together safely.

Economics

Rhode Island

Politics

Colony's Founding

Fishing

The majority of the workforce in Colonial Rhode Island consisted of servants, manual workers, apprentices, hired hands, sailors and semi-skilled tradesmen. The lower class consisted of indentured servants and some slaves. These citizens couldn't vote or hold public office. Middle class citizens could vote but not many of them held public office. The Upper class consisted of well educated and wealthy minor aristocrats who could vote and held high public office. The economy of Colonial Rhode Island was based on industries and manufactures such as ship building and the manufacture and shipping of rum. In towns along the coast, the colonists made their living whaling, fishing, shipbuilding and shipping. The economy of other parts of Colonial Rhode Island was based on fur trade, timber products, maple syrup, copper, livestock products, rum, horses, beer and whiskey.

Industries

Good relations With Natives

Churches

(Fishermen along the coast of Rhode Island)

(Rhode Island shipyard)

(First Baptist church in Rhode Island)

(Roger Williams negotiating land with natives)

Plantations

(Rhode Island had many plantations hence the name "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations")

Citations

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"History of Rhode Island." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2014. "Education in the 13 American Colonies." Education in the 13 American Colonies. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.