The Story of Rhode Island

Prepare to embark on an exhilarating new season as we delve into the transformative power of industrialization in Rhode Island! Uncover the social and economic changes the state underwent throughout the 19th century and learn about how Rhode Island’s industrialized society helped to keep the Union intact. Season 3 coming to you Sunday, May 4th!

1683 - 1723 | Throughout the late 17th and early 18th century, Rhode Island pirates contributed heavily to the Golden Age of Piracy and became such a nuisance that they almost got the colony's charter revoked. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Black Flag, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates by Eric Jay Dolin Pirates of Colonial Newport by Gloria Merchant *Map image fro...

1784 - 1860 | With early abolitionists attempting to end Rhode Island's connection with slavery, the state's merchants and industrial leaders continue to find ways to profit off of the business of slavery right up until the Civil War. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Dark Work: The Business of Slavery in Rhode Island by Christy Clark-Pujara Sons of Providence: The Brown Brothers, the Slave Trade,...

1638 - 1775 | From almost the moment Rhode Island was founded, indigenous war captives worked for the colony's earliest settlers without pay.  Then, in the 18th century, Rhode Island's relationship with slavery deepened when it began playing a dominant role in the American slave trade. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Brethren by Nature: New England Indians, Colonists, and the Origins of American...

1781 - 1790 | With the Revolutionary War having come to an end, Rhode Island struggles to see eye to eye with their fellow Americans around what their new national government should look like, once again making them a group of outcasts. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway The Glorious Cause by Robert Mid...

1780 - 1781 | With the American's southern army on the verge of being defeated, an event that would likely lead to the patriot forces losing the Revolutionary War, George Washington calls on General Nathanael Greene to save the day. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlek...

1778 | With the French Navy no longer able to support the retaking of Newport, the American army on Aquidneck Island must hold their ground so that they can safely retreat back to the Rhode Island mainland. My Favorite Books on this Topic: The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War by Christian M. McBurney Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney...

1778 | As the Americans prepare to retake the city of Newport with their French ally, they watch as a series of unexpected changes throw their plan into disarray. My Favorite Books on this Topic: The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War by Christian M. McBurney Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Washington's General: Nathanael Gre...

1776 - 1778 | After declaring independence from the British empire and with their towns coming under attack from enemy forces, the Rhode Island colonists learn that their war is far from over. My Favorite Books on this Topic: The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War by Christian M. McBurney Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Washi...

1775 - 1776 | With British ships patrolling Narragansett Bay and their economy brought to a standstill the people of Rhode Island decide to make a bold statement directed towards King George III, letting their fellow colonists know that the time for reconciliation has passed. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Rhode Island: A History by William McLoughlin Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V...

1763 - 1775 | When the Rhode Island Colony watches their profits and rights as Englishmen come under attack, the people around Narragansett Bay ignite a series of protests that will eventually lead to war with the British Empire. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Rhode Island: A History by William McLoughlin Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Washington's General: Nathanael Greene...

1699 - 1763 | During the late 17th and early 18th century, Governor Samuel Cranston makes a series of changes to Rhode Island, enabling it to become an economic powerhouse. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Rhode Island: A History by William McLoughlin Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood by Patrick T. Conley *Map image from Rhode...

1686 - 1689 | Rhode Island find itself at odds with the British empire when it has its charter revoked and turned into a mere province in the Dominion of New England.  My Favorite Books on this Topic: Rhode Island: A History by William McLoughlin Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood by Patrick T. Conley *Map image from Rhode Isla...

For Season 2 of the Story of Rhode Island we'll explore the factors that led Rhode Island to play a pivotal role in the American Revolution and how the ensuing war affected life around Narragansett Bay. To learn more what we'll cover in Season 2 visit the Story of Rhode Island Podcast website

In this conversation with Jack Henneman, Creator & Host of the History of the Americans Podcast, we discuss the world in which Rhode Island was founded in, early Rhode Islanders like Roger Williams & Anne Hutchinson, and why Rhode Island's history is so fascinating.  To learn more about The History of the Americans go to https://thehistoryoftheamericans.com/ 

1639 - 1676 | In part 2 of this 2 part bonus episode we watch the Narragansett and Pokanoket people fight to salvage their way of life as the power of the English grows stronger every year. My Favorite Books on this Topic: A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island by Robert A. Geake Manitou and Providence: Indians, Europeans, and the Making of New England, 1500-1643 by Neal Salisbury Cha...

1524 - 1637 | In part 1 of this 2 part bonus episode we take a look at the Narragansett & Pokanoket tribes and how their lives changed when they began interacting with English colonists. My Favorite Books on this Topic: A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island by Robert A. Geake Manitou and Providence: Indians, Europeans, and the Making of New England, 1500-1643 by Neal Salisbury Go...

In this conversation with Dr. David Weed of the Sowams Heritage Area we discuss the history of the Pokanoket tribe of eastern Rhode Island and the pivotal role their tribe played in our nations history. To learn more about the Sowams Heritage Area visit - https://sowamsheritagearea.org/wp/ To learn more about the Story of Rhode Island Podcast visit - www.storyofrhodeisland.com

1676 - 1683 | After the Narragansett Nation enters King Philip's War and towns throughout Rhode Island are destroyed, the English colonists eventually find a way to defeat their formidable opponents. My Favorite Books on this Topic: King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict by Eric B. Schultz & Michael J. Tougias God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Ro...

1675 | After years of tension, a war between the English colonists and the tribes of southern New England breaks out and Rhode Island finds itself engulfed in this deadly conflict. My Favorite Books on this Topic: King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict by Eric B. Schultz & Michael J. Tougias God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and th...

1662 - 1675 | When Connecticut finds a way to steal a third of Rhode Island's land, John Clarke fights to keep their colony intact. My Favorite Books on this Topic: God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians Against the Puritans of New England   by James A. Warren Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Roger Williams and the Creation of...

1644 - 1658 | As internal factions attempt to destroy Rhode Island from within, Roger Williams fights to keep the Colony of Rhode Island united.  My Favorite Books on this Topic: Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty   by John M. Barry Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood by...

1642 - 1644 | In an effort to protect their sovereignty, the radical towns around Narragansett Bay unite as one and become an official English colony. My Favorite Books on this Topic: God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians Against the Puritans of New England   by James A. Warren Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James Roger Williams a...

1637 - 1642 | After Anne Hutchinson is banned from Massachusetts, her followers move to Aquidneck Island and create the towns of Portsmouth and Newport. My Favorite Books on this Topic: American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans by Eve LaPlante Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England by William Cronon Roger Williams and...

1636 - 1637 | After being banned from Massachusetts, Roger Williams founds the town of Providence, the freest society in 17th century western civilization. My Favorite Books on this Topic: Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty   by John M. Barry Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of...