| If you vacation in Rhode Island, you should
definitely visit the capital Providence. This lively
city stands for the generally tolerant social
climate, because the people in this small state are
cosmopolitan, well educated and very interested in
politics. Despite the small national territory, the
political influence is far greater than many people
suspect. Two MPs represent Rhode Island in the
United States House of Representatives, and four
constituents help decide who will move into the
White House next in the presidential election. Even
the Republicans are comparatively liberal in this
small state.
This region is anything but provincial. The
Providence and Worcester Railroad is the only Rhode
Island rail company to operate the former route from
New Haven to New York, Boston and Massachusetts.
Up to the first half of the 19th century, several
Indian tribes lived on what is now Rhode Island,
but, like in other states, were exterminated by
white colonialists and settlers and by introduced
diseases.
The later state was founded in 1636 by Roger
Williams, who is considered the founder of American
Baptism and a supporter of religious freedom. He was
also the first to campaign for a separation of
church and state. Roger Williams was also
responsible for the constitution of this state,
which granted residents complete freedom of belief
and conscience.
While other states continued to debate the issue
of slave ownership controversially two hundred years
later, it was banned here as early as 1652. On May
29, 1790, Rhode Island became the 13th state to join
the still young United States of America.
The territory of what is now Rhode Island was the
scene of two major wars : the American War of
Independence in 1777 and 1778 and the American Civil
War from 1861 to 1865. In 1778 the English gave up
this area in favor of New York without a fight and
the area fell under dominance of the French. These
quickly became popular, so that the previous
discrimination against Catholics was finally
removed.
In the American Civil War, this small state
fought on the side of the Union states, which were
committed to the final abolition of slavery and
industrial progress. Almost 29,000 men fought in the
First World War. From 1860 to 1880, Rhode Island was
a popular destination for immigrants from Germany,
Ireland, England, Sweden and Quebec.
Around the turn of the century, immigration of
people from the Mediterranean increased
significantly. As a result, a booming industry
emerged. However, the upper class did not like these
conditions and the notorious Ku Klux Klan registered
a significant increase.
The official name is Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations, which dates back to the time of
slavery, although it was abolished here in the 17th
century. In 2009, a citizens' initiative, which
largely included Afro-American citizens, organized a
petition to remove what they believed to be a
discriminatory addition to the state name. However,
this company was unsuccessful.
Climate in Rhode Island
There is a humid continental climate with west
winds on the forested, deep green land zones on the
Atlantic. There are temperature differences between
the Atlantic coast and inland. The water is cooler
and windier than inland. The weather can sometimes
be moody and change quickly.
As in other New England states, the Indian Summer
in Rhode Island is pleasantly mild and characterized
by colorful colors. During the summer months, the
thermometer reaches a pleasant 22 to 25
degrees. From October to April the temperatures
range between 4 and 17 degrees, minus degrees can be
reached in December and January.
A less pronounced population development than in
other states
1,052,567 people live in the small territory of
Rhode Island. White Americans make up the majority
with 81.4%, followed by Latin Americans with
12.7%. African Americans make up 5.7% of the
population. Asians are represented with 2.9% and
Indians with 0.6%.
The population growth in Rhode Island in the
course of the 19th century was not as pronounced as
in other federal states, presumably because no
precious metals were found and mined here. By the
middle of the 19th century, the influx of new
residents was at a constant level between 0.4 and 12
percent. This then young state recorded the
strongest growth between 1850 and 1910 with values
between 18 and 35.6 percent. Between 1920 and
1970, 3.8 to 13.7 percent chose Rhode Island as
their new home.
Since then, population growth has been at a
rather low level, and double-digit percentages have
not been reached. In 1980, this gem on the Atlantic
coast did not register a single naturalization. In
the past ten years, the population has only
increased by 0.4 percent. In the long term,
a population decline is even expected. |
