Rhode+Island

=**Geography:**= The colony of Rhode Island was a part of the New England colonies. The colony can be found in the present-day northeast region of the United States along the Atlantic Coast. Rhode Island is nicknamed the Ocean State because of their many oceanfront beaches. The state is mostly flat with no real mountains, its highest point is Jerimoth Hill. Rhode Island has two distinct natural regions: Eastern Rhode Island contains the lowlands of the Narrangasett Bay and Western Rhode Island forms part of the New England Upland. Rhode Island had the most successful seaport in North America. Newport was a deep harbor and merchants grew wealthy by trading with the British Empire. In the Narragansett County, conditions favored large-scale farming.

=‍**History:**= Rhode Island began its colonization in 1635 when Roger Williams, a Separatist Minister, was banished from Massachusetts for conflicts with Puritan authorities. Williams started a settlement called Providence, which is in Rhode Island to escape religious intolerance of Massachusetts Bays. Providence was joined with various Separatist communities in Rhode Island during the year of 1644. Other famous settlers includes the Hutchinson family who left for land on the Narragansett Bay who arrived in the year 1638. The colony received permission to become a self-governing colony in that same year. The colony promised religious tolerance for all settlers. Upon their arrival to the colony, settlers were met with the Narragansett Indians.

=‍Economics:= For survival, the colonists participated in shipping and the farming of livestock and agriculture. Because of their successful seaport, the people of Rhode Island thrived on trading. Merchants found wealth by conducting trade with the British Empire. Their most profitable form of trade was the slave trade. Rhode Islanders also participated in whaling and fishing. There was slavery in this colony by 1652. Narragansett farmers used their slaves as both laborers and domestic servants. =‍**Social:**= English was the dominant language in Rhode Island. Puritans, Quakers, Jews, and Catholics all formed part of Rhode Island because it was a colony that supported religious toleration. =‍**Political:**= The colony was self-governing from 1636-1644. It became a joint-stock colony in 1644 until 1663 when it changed to a royal charter. Rhode Island remained a royal colony until 1776. When John Clarke, a Newport merchant, secured a royal charter from King Charles II in 1663, the people embraced a democratic government and religious freedoms.

Sources: [] "Rhode Island." // American History //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2011.

By: Eliana Nuñez; Geography, History, Economic, Political, and Social