How Rhode Island Became a State

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, but it has a rich and interesting history. Located in the New England region of the country, Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen colonies to declare independence from Britain and the last to ratify the Constitution and become a state.

Pre-Statehood

Early Settlement

Rhode Island was first settled by Europeans in 1636 when Roger Williams and a group of settlers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony established a settlement in Providence. Williams was a religious dissenter who had been exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his beliefs, and he wanted to create a colony where people of all faiths could practice their religion without persecution. The settlement quickly grew, and by 1644, Williams had secured a charter from the English Parliament that established Rhode Island as a colony.

Rhode Island Charter

The Rhode Island Charter was an important document that established Rhode Island as a colony separate from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The charter granted the settlers of Rhode Island a great deal of autonomy and freedom, including the right to self-governance and the right to practice any religion without interference from the English government. The charter also established a representative government, with an elected assembly and a governor. This government was unique in the American colonies, and it served as a model for other colonies in the future. The charter was also important in that it established Rhode Island as a distinct entity, separate from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This distinction would eventually lead to Rhode Island becoming a state.

The American Revolution

Rhode Island's Role in the Revolution

Rhode Island played an important role in the American Revolution. The state was the first to declare its independence from Britain, and it was the first to renounce its allegiance to the British crown. Rhode Island was also one of the first states to send troops to fight in the Revolutionary War. The state was a major supplier of food, ammunition, and other supplies to the Continental Army, and it provided a safe haven for many of the Continental Army's troops. Rhode Island also provided financial support to the war effort, and it was one of the first states to ratify the Articles of Confederation.

Rhode Island's Declaration of Independence

On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island declared its independence from Britain. The declaration was written by Stephen Hopkins, who was the governor of the state at the time. The declaration stated that Rhode Island was a free and independent state, and it was the first of its kind in the colonies. The declaration also declared that the people of Rhode Island would no longer be subject to the laws or authority of the British government. This declaration was a major step towards the creation of the United States of America, and it was a major milestone in the American Revolution.

Statehood

Ratification of the Constitution

The ratification of the Constitution of the United States was a long and arduous process that took place between 1787 and 1790. Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the Constitution, and the process was not without controversy. The state had a long history of independence and self-governance, and many of its citizens were wary of ceding any of their rights to a larger federal government. The state legislature was divided on the issue, with some members in favor of ratification and others opposed. After months of debate, the legislature finally voted in favor of ratification on May 29, 1790.

Rhode Island Becomes the 13th State

With the ratification of the Constitution, Rhode Island officially became the 13th state of the United States. The state was admitted to the Union on June 15, 1790, and the first governor of Rhode Island, Arthur Fenner, was sworn in on June 22. The state's first constitution was adopted on July 18, 1790, and the state's first General Assembly was held in October of that same year. The state's first Supreme Court was established in 1798, and the state's first public library was opened in 1802. Since then, Rhode Island has grown and developed into the vibrant and diverse state it is today.