1832 - 1841 | After a decade of attempting to modernize the state's archaic political institutions, the people of Rhode Island come to the conclusion that the only way to achieve their goals is by leveraging more revolutionary tactics—or, as Seth Luther phrases it, they will obtain their rights by any means necessary: "peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must".

My Favorite Books on this Topic:

Democracy in Decline: Rhode Island's Constitutional Crisis Development 1776 - 1841 by Patrick T. Conley

The People's Martyr: Thomas Wilson Dorr and His 1842 Rhode Island Rebellion by Eric J. Chaput

Peaceably if we can, Forcibly if we must: Writings by and about Seth Luther by Scott Molloy, Carl Gersuny, and Robert Macieski

*Map image from Rhode Island Boundaries by John H Cady.

To learn more about this episode go to The Story of Rhode Island website