LibGuides @ URI: Rhode Island Political History: Home

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Suggested Search Terms

To find materials on this topic in the catalog and article databases, try the following terms:

Keyword search "Rhode Island" AND "politics"
Keyword search "Rhode Island" AND "history"
Subject search "Rhode Island -- history"
Subject search "Rhode Island -- Politics and government"

URI Libraries Search
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Locate books, videos, online resources and more available through the URI Libraries.

Books

After King Philip's War by Colin G. Calloway (Editor)
Call Number: E78 N5 A17 1997
ISBN: 9780874518191
Publication Date: 1997

This collection of essays explores the Native American experience in the New England states following King Philip's War. Features an essay on the survival of the Narragansett tribe, including the tribe's culture, in Rhode Island.
Journal-Bulletin Rhode Island Almanac
Call Number: URI Serial Stacks AY67 P9 J7
Publication Date: 1942 - 1998

If you would like to research a particular event in Rhode Island history, you may wish to consult an almanac. You can use this almanac to find information on an event according to when it occurred. URI has copies of this almanac for 1942-1998. The title was changed from Journal-Bulletin Almanac to Journal-Bulletin Rhode Island Almanac in 1973.
The Notorious Triangle: Rhode Island and the African Slave Trade, 1700-1807 by Jay Coughtry
Call Number: URI E445 R4 C68
ISBN: 0877222185
Publication Date: 1981

This text delves into the role of Rhode Island in the triangular trade. The author discusses how the slave trade that flourished in early Rhode Island was a central part of the state's economy, and provides evidence that Rhode Island's share in the American slave trade was a significant one.
The Prince of Providence by Mike Stanton
Call Number: F 89 P953 C537 2003
ISBN: 0375507809
Publication Date: 2003

A recounting of the history of Providence Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, Jr.’s reign over the city, the corruption and scandal that resulted in convictions and the revitalization of the city that Cianci was able to orchestrate. Authored by veteran Providence Journal reporter Mike Stanton.
The Rhode Island State Constitution: A Reference Guide by Patrick T. Conley; Robert G. Flanders
Call Number: URI Reference KFR401 1986 A6 C66 2007
ISBN: 9780275983321
Publication Date: 2007

Includes the Rhode Island State Constitution with detailed annotations, tracking the evolution of the Constitution from its colonial inception. There is also a table of state and federal cases referenced in the author commentary.
Rhode Island Politics and Government by Maureen Moakley; Elmer Cornwell
Call Number: JK3216 M63 2001
ISBN: 0803232187
Publication Date: 2001

URI political science professor Maureen Moakley co-authored this introduction to Rhode Island's political landscape. This text describes the structure of Rhode Island politics and how Rhode Island politics have evolved, as well as the qualities that make this state's government unique.
Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul by John M. Barry
Call Number: BX6495.W55 B37 2012
ISBN: 9780670023059
Publication Date: 2012

This biography of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams discusses how Williams' background and beliefs led to the establishment of Providence, a colony in which religious freedom was championed. The author argues that in establishing Rhode Island as a colony that supported religious freedom, Roger Williams set the foundation for the separation of church and state in the United States.

Articles & Databases

Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost)
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Full text for over 8,500 journals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals. Covers topics including: archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, electrical engineering, ethnic & multicultural studies, food science & technology, general science, geography, geology, law, mathematics, mechanical engineering, music, physics, psychology, religion & theology, women's studies, and other fields. Updated daily. Coverage varies, but generally covers the mid 1990s - present.
Access Rhode Island from America's News (Newsbank)
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Full-text access to 26 Rhode Island news sources, including: The Brown Daily Herald, The Call (Woonsocket), The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Good Five Cent Cigar, The Kent County Daily Times, The Narragansett Times, The North Providence Breeze, The Providence Journal, The Standard-Times (North Kingstown), The Times (Pawtucket), The Valley Breeze & Observer (Smithfield), and The Westerly Sun.
America: History and Life (EBSCOhost)
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Indexing and abstracts of journal articles and other materials on the history of the United States and Canada from prehistory to the present. 1895-. Updated monthly.
Providence Journal (Newsbank)
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Online access to the Providence Journal from 1829 to present. Searchable page image available for 1829-1982 and 2017 to present. Full text available from 1981 to present.

Local Resources

Providence Public Library Rhode Island Collection
The collection consists of nearly 10,000 books, an image collection containing over 7,000 photographs of people, places and buildings available in print and online, historic and current maps pertaining to Rhode Island cities and towns, newspapers, clippings, pamphlets, reference works, and selected documents from the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence (Description from PPL website).
Rhode Island State Archives
The Rhode Island State Archives "preserves and makes available for research Rhode Island's historical public records, which date from 1638 to the present. Our reception area also features exhibits that are free and open to the public." (From their about page.)
Rhode Island State Library
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Search the online catalog of the Rhode Island State Library for state publications and other items.
University of Rhode Island Library Distinctive Collections
Collections in URI Special Collections include materials about the University as well as specialized political papers, oral histories, and much more.

Subject Guide

URI Librarian

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Providence: (401) 277-5130

Narragansett: (401) 874-6161

Created by

Sara Deignan, 3/2015

Rhode Island Political History: Home