Early Colonization and Development of Rhode Island Research Paper

Early Colonization and Development of Rhode Island - Research Paper Example In the eighteenth century their dedication to individualism underscored Rhode Islanders taking to business with its inherent risks. Due to the poverty of the land resources trade was practised. The Rhode Islanders were not happy serving under British policies, and became revolutionaries which resulted in the founding of a new nation. Rhode Islanders now come from various ethnic backgrounds. The new questions to be addressed relate to the rights of minorities, and the need for securing individual liberty and economic opportunity (McLoughlin, 1986). The Economy of Rhode Island The conventional manufacturing economy of Rhode Island has diversified to services, retail and wholesale trade, and finance. Despite this shift, several products such as jewellery, silverware, textiles, primary and fabricated metals, machinery and other items for which Rhode Island is well known, still continue to be manufactured. Additionally, tourism and gambling are important to the state’s economy (War ner 41). Most farmland is utilized for dairies and poultry farms, agriculture being unimportant to the economy. Commercial fishing is a declining industry, and naval facilities at Newport contribute to the state’s income (The Columbia Encyclopedia 41148). The Demographic Makeup of the State According to the Census 2010, Rhode Island had a population of 1,052,567 people showing an increase of 0.4% over one decade (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The race and ethnic origin demographics for Rhode Island in 2010 are as follows: Whites form the largest section at 8,856,859. The next largest group of 60,189 is formed by Black or African American, the size being equal to that of ‘some other race alone’. Almost half the number form ‘two or more races’ and Asian alone. There...   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to the Census 2010, Rhode Island had a population of 1,052,567 people showing an increase of 0.4% over one decade (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The race and ethnic origin demographics for Rhode Island in 2010 are as follows: Whites form the largest section at 8,856,859. The next largest group of 60,189 is formed by Black or African American, the size being equal to that of ‘some other race alone’. Almost half the number form ‘two or more races’ and Asian alone. There are only 6,058 American Indians or Alaska native, and 554 people constitute the group Native Hawaaiian and other Pacific islanders (Census Statistics, 2010). Political Characteristics of the Constituency and Leading Industries  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Rhode Island’s present constitution was adopted in 1842 and has been often amended† (The Columbia Encyclopedia 41148). A governor heads the state’s executive branch, who is elected for a four-year term and is eligible for re-election. Elected for two-year terms are the bicameral legislature with a senate of fifty members and a house of seventy-five. Local government functions at the city level, while Rhode Island’s counties have no political roles. The state sends two senators and two representatives to the U.S. Congress, and has four electoral votes. Though Rhode Island is mostly Democratic, various Republican governors have been elected from 1994 till the present. Rhode Island’s political and economic life was dominated by mill owners. The small mill towns with their great numbers of foreign-born residents.