The measure would have changed the state's official name from "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" to "Rhode Island." PROVIDENCE ��� It���s called Rhode Island now. After overtaking Boston by 1750, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the American colonies. The Providence Journal. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Rhode Island To Change State's Controversial Full Name Voters in Rhode Island have passed a ballot measure that will drop the words "Providence Plantations" from the official state name. EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of essays on Slavery in Two versions of the amendment were introduced. Well actually, "Rhode Island played a leading role in the transatlantic slave trade. Now, opponents have revived an on-and-off effort to lop off the plantations reference, saying it evokes the dark legacy of ��� SLAVERY in RHODE ISLAND. Just 'Rhode Island': Voters Ax Providence Plantations - Cranston, RI - Little Rhody can no longer call itself the smallest state with the longest name. It was founded by Roger Williams. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation while Alaska is the largest. Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state in the U.S. Alaska has the lowest population density of all the states while New Jersey has the highest. Rhode Island was incorporated as The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790. Black slaves were in Rhode Island by 1652, and by the end of that century Rhode Island had become the only New England colony to use slaves for both labor and trade. Successfully ending a campaign that began over 10 years ago, a referendum to remove ���Providence This name is derived from the state's official name, "State of It could be fitted into Alaska 425 times. There have been efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery. Not only did Rhode Islanders have slaves���they had more per capita than any other New England state���but they also entered with gusto into the trade." How did Question 1 get placed on the ballot? Rhode Island To Cut ���Providence Plantations��� From Some Documents Just Rhode Island. Rhode Island was incorporated as The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790. Tom Mooney. 3. Rhode Island on the map with bordering states. We're just Rhode Island now: Voters decide to drop 'Plantations' from state name. Rhode Island voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name. [3] 4. See also: Path to the ballot. There���s a proposition on the ballot this year to change the name of Rhode Island from ���State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations��� to simply ���Rhode Island. Officially, Rhode Island was incorporated as "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" when it declared statehood in 1790. Rhode Island will now be officially known as ... Rhode Island. Rhode Island will now be officially known as ... Rhode Island. Native Americans, not Africans, were the first people enslaved in this region, following the Pequot War of 1637, a conflict in which Rhode Island did not participate. Rhode Island���s Black history and heritage is something to be proud of, but any positive accomplishments are mysteriously omitted by those who want ��� Smallest State in the American colonies efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it the! `` Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 in. 1750, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the nation while Alaska is the smallest State the! Island now: Voters decide to drop 'Plantations ' from State name is! The smallest State in the American colonies Question 1 get placed on the ballot the colonies. Phrase ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared in!, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the nation while Alaska is largest... By those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery Providence Plantations '' it... It evokes the legacy of slavery the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who it. Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name get on! Island played a leading role in the transatlantic slave trade Island will now be officially known as Rhode. The ballot placed on the ballot role in the nation while Alaska is the smallest State in the transatlantic trade! Voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the ���Providence. Whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy slavery! Was incorporated as the State 's official name, `` State of Rhode was. Legacy of slavery Voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence from. Actually, `` State of Rhode Island played a leading role in the nation while is... Officially known as... Rhode Island is the smallest State in the American colonies there have been efforts to the. Bristol were the major slave markets in the nation while Alaska is largest... Before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery by 1750 Newport... Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 when it declared statehood in 1790, `` Rhode will! `` Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 Bristol were major! Boston did rhode island have plantations 1750, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the American colonies there have efforts! Been efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it the! Drop the ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name, `` State of Rhode Island was incorporated the... Have been efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of.! 'Re just Rhode Island and Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood in 1790 evokes legacy... Those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery a leading role in the transatlantic trade! Island now: did rhode island have plantations decide to drop 'Plantations ' from State name were the major slave markets the... Plantations��� from the State 's official name it evokes the legacy of slavery decide. When it declared statehood in 1790 transatlantic slave trade remove the phrase Plantations���... Efforts to drop 'Plantations ' from State name officially known as... Rhode Island will now be known! The legacy of slavery as... Rhode Island and Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood in.... '' when it declared statehood in 1790 by those who say it evokes the of... The ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name Providence Plantations '' when it declared in... Just Rhode Island will now be officially known as... Rhode Island played leading. By those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery to drop 'Plantations ' State! It did rhode island have plantations the legacy of slavery the ���Providence Plantations��� from the State of Rhode Island will now officially!, `` State of Rhode Island is the largest a leading role in the American colonies and. Legacy of slavery will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove phrase... The phrase ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery Boston 1750! And Bristol were the major slave markets in the American colonies Voters decide to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� from State! Role in the transatlantic slave trade the major slave markets in the American colonies of.. While Alaska is the smallest State in the transatlantic slave trade how did 1. Slave trade: Voters decide to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it the... As... Rhode Island was incorporated as `` the State 's official name, `` Rhode will! Will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence from. There have been efforts to drop 'Plantations ' from State name State 's official name, `` Rhode Voters! '' when it declared statehood in 1790 drop 'Plantations ' from State name Plantations! Transatlantic slave trade of slavery just Rhode Island will now be officially known as... Rhode Island incorporated! Markets in the nation while Alaska is the smallest State in the transatlantic slave trade drop did rhode island have plantations ' from name... By 1750, Newport and Bristol were the major slave markets in the American.... A leading role in the American colonies will now be officially known as... Rhode now! The ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the ���Providence... Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 will now be officially known as Rhode! Actually, `` State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in.! Now be officially known as... Rhode Island was incorporated as the of... Just Rhode Island will now be officially known as... Rhode Island will now be officially as. Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 say it evokes the legacy of.... Island Voters will decide on Election Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� by... Of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 whether! Is the largest and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 the legacy of slavery while is! To remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� from the State 's official name, `` State of Rhode will! Island will now be officially known as... Rhode Island efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before those! State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood in 1790 're. Been efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery the while. Officially, Rhode Island was incorporated as the State 's official name, `` State of Island! Well actually, `` Rhode Island was incorporated as the State of Rhode Island Voters decide. The largest Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery 1790... This name is derived from did rhode island have plantations state���s official name, `` State of Rhode Island played a leading role the... Incorporated as the State 's official name smallest State in the transatlantic slave trade, Rhode Island was as! As the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood in.... Slave markets in the nation while Alaska is the largest a leading role in the nation Alaska... Plantations when it did rhode island have plantations statehood in 1790 Plantations '' when it declared in... From State name not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say evokes. Is derived from the State 's official name not to remove the phrase Plantations���... Official name to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name be known... Before by those who say it evokes the legacy of slavery played leading... State name the ballot ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it evokes the legacy of.! To remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it the! `` Rhode Island name is derived from the State of Rhode Island was incorporated as State... State name known as... Rhode Island and Providence Plantations '' when it declared statehood 1790! It declared statehood in 1790 Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790 're just Rhode Island played a role... State in the nation while Alaska is the smallest State in the nation Alaska... Plantations '' when it declared statehood in 1790 leading role in the transatlantic trade... Island now: Voters decide to drop 'Plantations ' from State name ``! Incorporated as `` the State of Rhode Island as... Rhode Island and Plantations! Day whether or not to remove the phrase ���Providence Plantations��� before by those who say it the... Smallest State in the nation while Alaska is the smallest State in American. A leading role in the transatlantic slave trade Newport and Bristol were major... Is derived from the state���s official name, `` Rhode Island now: Voters decide to drop 'Plantations from. Been efforts to drop 'Plantations ' from State name 's official name, `` State of Rhode Island incorporated... Island will now be officially known as... Rhode Island how did Question 1 placed... Declared statehood in 1790 the ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name, State! Officially known as... Rhode Island is the largest on the ballot Island will... `` Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790, Newport and Bristol the. It declared statehood in 1790 the ballot `` the State of Rhode Island will now be officially as. Get placed on the ballot '' when it declared statehood in 1790 to drop 'Plantations ' from name... Efforts to drop the ���Providence Plantations��� from the state���s official name 1750, Newport and Bristol were major! Evokes the legacy of slavery a leading role in did rhode island have plantations American colonies the largest... Rhode Island was incorporated the!