Were there slave plantations in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island may not be widely associated with slave plantations, but the state had a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. From the late 17th to early 19th centuries, Rhode Island’s economy thrived on the slave trade, with numerous merchants and shipowners involved. While there were no traditional large-scale plantations, the state’s involvement in the slave trade cannot be overlooked. Rhode Island’s history regarding slavery is a complex and often overlooked part of American history.
